John William Tuttle; Musician

John William Tuttle, a violinist trained in classical music who later played country-pop music, has died at his Van Nuys home. He was 41.

Tuttle died Monday of a perforated ulcer, said his longtime companion, Carol Rubin.

Born in Santa Monica, Tuttle began playing the violin at 5 and later studied at California Institute of the Arts in Valencia. In the mid-1970s, he toured with The Association as lead singer and guitar player and also had toured with singer-guitarist Ramblin’ Jack Elliott. Tuttle, who also played the fiddle, mandolin and keyboards and wrote songs, performed country-pop music in various local clubs including McCabe’s in Santa Monica.

A member of Musician’s Union Local 47, Tuttle continued in the music industry until his death.

He is survived by his father, William Tuttle of Pacific Palisades; stepmother, Anita Tuttle of Pacific Palisades, and sister, Teresa Tuttle of Santa Monica.

A funeral, with burial to follow, is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. today at the Old North Church at Forest Lawn Memorial-Park, 6300 Forest Lawn Drive, in the Hollywood Hills. Forest Lawn Mortuary, Hollywood Hills, is handling the arrangements.