Aaron Spears, drummer for Justin Bieber, Usher and Ariana Grande, dead at 47
Aaron Spears, the renowned touring drummer who played alongside Usher, Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga and Miley Cyrus, among others, has died at age 47, his family has announced.
Spears’ wife, Jessica Spears, confirmed the news of her husband’s death in an Instagram post shared on the drummer’s page. The post did not include a time, date or place of death for Spears or a cause of death.
“It is with a heavy heart and overwhelming sadness that I share the news of the passing of my beloved husband, Aaron Spears,” she wrote last week. “Aaron was not only an incredibly accomplished drummer, admired by many for his unparalleled talent and passion for music; but he was also a devoted father to our precious son, August. His love, guidance, and warmth were the pillars of our family, and his absence leaves a void that words cannot describe.”
The message continued: “We were blessed to have him in our lives, and his legacy will live on through the beautiful rhythms he created and the love he shared with us. We appreciate all the thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Please remember
Aaron for the incredible person he was and the amazing music he brought into our world. At this time we ask for privacy as we work our way through this.”
Spears earned a Grammy nomination for his production work on Usher’s highly successful “Confessions” album, which was nominated for album of the year at the 47th Grammy Awards.
He gained more acclaim in the drumming world after his now-legendary performance of Usher’s “Caught Up” at the 2006 Modern Drummer Festival.
“I have to be honest, man, I had absolutely no idea that playing that song on that particular stage, at that time, was going to cause such a ripple effect that almost 20 years later people were gonna be asking me to play that song,” Spears said in a 2022 interview with Drumeo of his 2006 performance. “Just the fact that some sort of emotion has come from something that I did, I am extremely thankful, I’m very appreciative.”
Many of the artists that Spears played with and several of his fellow drummers paid tribute to the drumming icon online.
In a now-expired Instagram story, Grande wrote: “I can’t wrap my head around this. We were all so incredibly lucky to know Aaron. The absolute brightest light of a human being. Always the kindest, always smiling. I am so honored and thankful that our paths crossed and to have spent so much very special time together. Thank you for your utter brilliance, for our laughs, and for your kindness always. I will miss your hugs. You are so, so loved and will be so very missed.”
“We lost a beautiful man and inspiration to all of us drummers,” Bieber shared in an Instagram story. “@aspears prayers for your family and loved ones you will be remembered and celebrated.”
Spears was born on Oct. 26, 1976, and grew up in Washington, D.C., according to a profile provided by his drum sponsor Remo. His passion for drumming first developed while attending Pentecostal church services with his parents, at first being awed by the in-house drummer and then becoming a part of the church band.
At age 23, Spears broke through in the local D.C. music scene playing with the jazz-fusion group Gideon Band.
In recent years, Spears held drum clinics and workshops throughout the world.
Spears is survived by his wife, Jessica, and his son, August.