Taylor Hill/FilmMagicButch Trucks, a founding member of the Allman Brothers Band, had died, according to the band’s spokesperson. He was 69.
Trucks passed away Tuesday night, January 24 in West Palm Beach, Florida. Local officers responded to a call at a residence, where Trucks was found dead. The case is still being investigated but foul play is not suspected.
The drummer is survived by his wife, four children and four grandchildren. “The Trucks and Allman Brothers Band families request all of Butch’s friends and fans to please respect our privacy at this time of sadness for our loss,” says the statement. “Butch will play on in our hearts forever.”
The statement asks that donations in Butch’s name be made to The Big House Museum in Macon, Georgia.
Butch, born Claude Hudson Trucks, formed the Allman Brothers Band in 1969 along with Duane Allman, Gregg Allman, Dickey Betts, Berry Oakley and another drummer, Jai Johanny Johanson, aka Jaimoe. The band’s unusual two-drummer lineup helped shape its sound, blending conventional rhythms with jazz–inspired inflections.
Trucks recorded and performed with the band until they split in 2014. He also played in a spinoff band, Les Brers, as well as with Butch Trucks & The Freight Train Band.
Trucks’ nephew, Derek Trucks, is the frontman for the Tedeschi Trucks Band. Another nephew, Duane Tracks, plays drums for Widespread Panic, among others.
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