Today, the music world is mourning the loss of Allman Brothers Band drummer and founding member Butch Trucks, who passed away Tueday night (Jan. 24) at 69 years old. Classic rock staples and Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, The Allman Brothers Band made its musical debut back in 1969 and has influenced countless groups in the decades since.
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Bandmate Greg Allman released a statement about the late singer, saying, “I’m heartbroken. I’ve lost another brother and it hurts beyond words. Butch and I knew each other since we were teenagers and we were bandmates for over 45 years. He was a great man and a great drummer and I’m going to miss him forever. Rest In Peace Brother Butch.”
Steve Gorman, drummer for next-generation southern rockers The Black Crowes, also had a few words to say. “Butch did everything just right,” Gorman tells Billboard. “Never over or under played, never pushed or pulled too much. Butch always served the music first, while somehow still managing to impose his own will and his own driving style into everything he played.”
“At the center of all the swirling magic of The Allman Brothers, Butch Trucks was the eye of the storm, leading from the back seat in the exact manner to which we should all aspire,” Gorman continues. “I have taken as much from Butch’s bag as I have any other drummer. It always sounds so trite when trying to put thoughts like these into words. Butch Trucks’ drumming is of course much better served being felt and heard, so we should probably all shut up put on some ABB. Rest in Peace, sir.”
Also taking a moment to remember Trucks is his former Allman Brothers bandmate Warren Haynes, who played guitar for the group from 1989-1997 and again from 2000-2014. Haynes took to his personal website to pay tribute.
“After all the devastating losses of 2016 I can’t believe it. I’m still in shock. I am truly honored to have played music and shared life with Butch for over 25 years. He was one of a kind-as a drummer and as a human being,” Haynes wrote. “Butch was part of what is unfortunately now a dying breed of musicians who served with honor like soldiers. He put 110% of his self into every song he played. He was the Lou Gehrig of rock drummers. I’ve seen him play many times when he was injured or sick and most people would have bailed or phoned it in. Not Butch. He would play with the utmost intensity till he was about to fall over with no regrets. He was very proud of the fact that up until our last shows in 2014 he was the only member of the band who had never missed a show. His mission in life was to serve the music. And serve the music he did. Butch considered the Allman Brothers Band music to be reverent and each performance to be of the highest level of importance and he drove that “freight train” like no other could. We miss you Butchie.”
Rest in Peace Uncle Butch pic.twitter.com/AkGOmG4j52
— Tedeschi Trucks Band (@DerekAndSusan) January 25, 2017
RIP Butch Trucks. Sad day in rock and roll. You will be missed. #ButchTrucks https://t.co/BXg6Vgue6k
— Sheryl Crow (@SherylCrow) January 25, 2017
RIP Butch Trucks. Some thoughts from @TreyAnastasio: https://t.co/1nzjYfy0qG pic.twitter.com/u49m6VTLoV
— Phish (@phish) January 25, 2017
Awfully sad to hear of the passing of Butch Trucks. A deserving legend, with a family full of ridiculously talented and truly sweet people.
— Jason Isbell (@JasonIsbell) January 25, 2017
Just got word that original Allman Brothers drummer
Butch Trucks has passed away.
Condolences to family and band mates— Charlie Daniels (@CharlieDaniels) January 25, 2017
RIP Butch Trucks and Mary Tyler Moore. We are witnessing the passing of legends with no one to replace them.
— JOE BONAMASSA (@JBONAMASSA) January 26, 2017