Rodger W. Ryan, a widely recognized drummer who also worked as Bobby Rydell's music director, died at his North Side home on Friday. He was 68.

The night before his death, Mr. Ryan, who had a history of heart-related problems, performed at the Crawford Grill in Station Square with the Don Aliquo Quartet.

"It's ironic but he started and ended his career at the Crawford Grill," said saxophonist Aliquo.

"We both started at the Grill in the Hill District. He was a great musician. He studied harmony and was a great composer and had many plans for his compositions."

Aliquo said he often relied heavily on Mr. Ryan's musicianship.

"I depended on him to help stabilize the feeling of the piece. The way he shaded and phrased in the improvisation piece was incredible."

Clarinetist Dennis Kurzowski also enjoyed the times he got to work with Mr. Ryan.

"He was a musician's musician. I think what made him so great was that he never got to the point where he felt like he knew everything. As long as you put the effort into the music, you never had a problem with Rodger."

"He was a hell of a drummer," said trumpeter Chuck Austin. "He was also a wonderful person. We first worked together with Henry Shapiro in the group Swing Fever. He was schooled in music and capable of writing and arranging music."

Mr. Ryan also performed on Shapiro's 1994 release of "Whatever Swings."

"He was a first-class musician," said singer and guitarist Shapiro. "Whenever Rodger was around, you didn't have to worry about time. There are guys that take up space on the bandstand, guys that contribute and guys that make things happen. Rodger made things happen."

Mr. Ryan grew up on the North Side and started playing in his early teens. He performed during the "Wilkins Amateur Hour," a program that aired on WDTV (Channel 3), the city's first TV station and the forerunner of KDKA-TV.

After completing high school, Mr. Ryan attended Carnegie Institute of Technology and graduated with a degree in music.

Mr. Ryan taught at Munhall and Braddock high schools before moving to Boston, where he taught at the New England Conservatory of Music.

Later, he became the music director for "American Bandstand" idol Bobby Ridarelli, better known as Bobby Rydell.

In the early 1980s, Mr. Ryan returned to Pittsburgh and started performing with the Flo Cassinelli Quartet. The group featured Mr. Ryan on drums, Cassinelli on saxophone, Dave LaRocca on bass and Frank Scharbo on guitar.

Later, Mr. Ryan co-founded the popular group Trio Grande with bassist Virgil Walters and pianist John D'Amico. The group recorded several well-received albums.

"He was a wonderful drummer," said Dr. Richard Paul, retired pediatrician, cornetist and leader of the Pittsburgh Dixieland Allstars. "He was comfortable playing all jazz styles. He also insisted on a serious approach to the music."

Visitation will be from 1 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the William H. Craig Funeral Home, 3000 Versailles Ave., McKeesport. A service will be held at 11 a.m., tomorrow in the funeral home.