Ron Bushy | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Bushy performing in 2005 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | (1941-12-23)December 23, 1941 Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Died | August 29, 2021(2021-08-29) (aged 79) Santa Monica,California, U.S. |
| Genres | Psychedelic rock,acid rock,hard rock,instrumental |
| Occupation(s) | Musician,graphic artist |
| Instrument | Drums |
| Years active | 1966–2021 |
| Labels | Atlantic ATCO |
| Formerly of | Iron Butterfly |
Ron Bushy (December 23, 1941 – August 29, 2021) was an American drummer best known as a member of the rock bandIron Butterfly and as the drum soloist on the band's iconic song "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida", released in 1968 although performed in the band's earlier appearances. Bushy was the only member of the group to appear on all six of its studio albums.
Previously playing in a band called the Voxmen, Bushy joined Iron Butterfly in 1966, following the band's relocation fromSan Diego toLos Angeles, replacing previous drummer Bruce Morse when he left due to a family emergency. Bushy became part of the group's classic lineup, along with vocalist and keyboardistDoug Ingle, guitaristErik Brann, and bassistLee Dorman.
They are best known for the 1968 hit "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida", providing a dramatic sound that led the way towards the development ofhard rock andheavy metal music. The song, originally written by Ingle as "In theGarden of Eden" but as a result of singing the first draft whilst intoxicated was misheard by Bushy as "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida", went to number thirty on theBillboard Hot 100, and charted highest in theNetherlands, where it went to number seven.[1][2]
After drumming on Iron Butterfly's first albumHeavy in 1968, the band experienced substantial success with their song "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" from itssecond album, which shared the name, in which he played a lengthy and critically acclaimed drum solo. The internationally popular drummer, Ringo Starr, was inspired by this solo.[3] Bushy continued to play with Iron Butterfly on its third and fourth albums, 1969'sBall and 1970'sMetamorphosis, until its break-up in 1971. He rejoined the group when the band reformed in 1974, playing on its fifth and sixth albums,Scorching Beauty andSun and Steel, both released in 1975. He departed the group in 1977, and rejoined the next year.
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Their music has found a significant impact on the international rock scenes, influencing numerous acts such asBlack Sabbath,AC/DC,Rush,Alice Cooper,Mountain,Uriah Heep,Soundgarden,Stone Temple Pilots,Slayer,King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, andQueens of the Stone Age.[4]
Bushy continued to drum for Iron Butterfly on-and-off until its second break-up, in 1985. From Iron Butterfly's second reunion in 1987, he continued to drum with the group on-and-off as the most consistent member throughout various other member changes and break-ups.
Bushy left Iron Butterfly permanently in 2012, but made occasional guest appearances from 2015 until his death.
Magic (1977–1978): Bushy (drums) and Walter Kibbey (drums), Ron "Rocket" Ritchotte (guitar, vocals), former Iron Butterfly membersPhilip Taylor Kramer (bass, vocals) and Bill DeMartines (keyboards, vocals).
Gold (1978–1980): Bushy (drums), Ritchotte (guitar, vocals), whose spot was later filled by Stuart Young (guitar, vocals), John Koehring (guitar, lead vocals), and Kramer (bass, vocals). They recorded one album in the spring of 1979 that was never released.
On August 29, 2021, Iron Butterfly issued a statement that Bushy had died that morning at theUCLA Medical Center inSanta Monica following a battle withesophageal cancer, at the age of 79.[5][6]
He was the third member of theIn-A-Gadda-Da-Vida lineup to have died, being preceded byErik Brann in 2003,Lee Dorman in 2012, and followed byDoug Ingle in 2024.[7]
(See full discography atIron Butterfly)
"Ron Bushy, our beloved legendary drummer of Iron Butterfly, has passed away peacefully, with his wife Nancy by his side, at 12:05am on August 29th at UCLA Santa Monica Hospital," the band said in a statement.
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