Larry Hulst/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty ImagesThis morning, the sad news broke that founding Allman Brother Band drummer Butch Trucks had died Tuesday night at the age of 69. Now, some of Trucks’ former band mates have issued statements and posted messages paying tribute the veteran musician.
Allman Brothers Band frontman Gregg Allman posted a message on his official website that reads, “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.”
Meanwhile, Warren Haynes, who played guitar with the Allmans from 1989 until the group’s 2014 breakup, penned a lengthy tribute that he posted on his own site.
“I’m still in shock,” writes Haynes. “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. 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.”
In his note, Warren points out that Trucks was “very proud” that he was the only Allman Brothers member never to miss a show. He adds, “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.”
Butch’s nephew, guitarist Derek Trucks, who was an Allman Brothers member from 1999 to 2014, posted a simple message on his Facebook page, saying, “Rest in Peace Uncle Butch,” along with a photo of the two musicians on stage together.
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