Butch Trucks dies at 69
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Drummer Butch Trucks, one of the founding members of the Southern rock l egend The Allman Brothers Band, has died. He was 69.
Page Stallings, Trucks’ booking agent, said Trucks died at his home in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Trucks was one of two original drummers, along with Jai Johanny “Jaimoe” Johanson, who hel ped fo r med t he rhythms and the drive for The Allman Brothers. Formed in 1969 and led by Duane and Gregg Allman, the group helped define the Southern rock sound that incorporated blues, rock, country and jazz.
Originally from Jacksonville, Trucks joined with the Allman siblings to form the band, including guitarist Dickey Betts and bassist Berry Oakley. They moved to Macon, Georgia, to cut their first record with Capricorn Records.
In a statement, Gregg Allman mourned the loss of his longtime friend and partner.
“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,” Allman said.
The t wo drummers melded their individual