Brit Turner, drummer for country-rock outfit Blackberry Smoke, died on Sunday (March 3), according to a social media post from the band. He was 57 years old.
In fall of 2022, Turner was diagnosed with glioblastoma, which is a fast-growing form of brain cancer, according to the Mayo Clinic. He underwent surgery to fight the cancer that November, just months after suffering a serious heart attack at home that summer.
There is currently no cure for glioblastoma, though treatments can slow the growth of the cancer and help relieve symptoms such as headaches, nausea and vomiting, seizures and blurred or double vision.
Turner co-founded Blackberry Smoke in Atlanta, Ga. in 2000, and in their statement announcing his death, the band described him as their “True North” and the “compass” that guided and will continued to guide their musical direction.
“It is with the deepest sorrow that we inform everyone that our brother Brit Turner has moved on from this life,” the statement reads. “If you had the privilege of knowing Brit on any level, you know he was the most caring, empathetic, driven and endearing person one could ever hope to meet.
“…We ask for prayers for his family and band brothers,” the statement goes on to say. “More information on arrangements will be forthcoming. Thank you to everyone who has supported and been there for Brit and his family during this fight.”
Who Was Brit Turner?
Born in Michigan and raised in Smyrna, Ga., Turner’s first musical love was hard rock and heavy metal, according to Rolling Stone. He and his bassist brother Richard Turner formed a thrash metal band in 1988, but eventually they moved back toward a Southern rock, country-informed sound.
The two brothers ultimately formed Blackberry Smoke with singer and guitarist Charlie Starr and guitarist Paul Jackson. Brandon Still would join the band on keyboards not long after.In 2018, two more members — Benji Shanks on guitar and Preston Holcomb on percussion — joined the lineup.
In 2015, Blackberry Smoke’s Holding All the Roses album became the first from a small, independent band to ever reach the No. 1 spot on Billboard Country Albums chart without the support of a major record label.
In addition to his musical family, Turner is survived by his wife Shannon and a daughter named Lana. Lana herself is a cancer survivor: At age three, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 neuroblastoma. Since then, she has recovered from her illness. The experience inspired Turner and Blackberry Smoke to raise money to fight various elements of pediatric cancer, fundraising for organizations such as the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn.
Jeff Beck
Jeff Beck, legendary guitarist and giant in the world of rock, was lost to music on Jan.10. Beck was 78.
Beck was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis in late 2022. The illness progressed rapidly and he passed a couple weeks later.
Beck was instrumental in advancing rock music from the early days. He was one of the members of groundbreaking band The Yardbirds, along with Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page.
He also worked with Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood in his own band, the Jeff Beck Group. He eventually went on to release 14 studio albums.
Beck was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, as a member of The Yardbirds and also as a solo artist.
David Crosby
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame musician
David Crosby died at the age of 81. Founding member of the Byrds, he is synonymous with the legendary group Crosby, Stills, Nash (and sometimes Young.) His death was reported Jan. 19.
Memorable for their performance at Woodstock, their hits included “Wooden Ships,” “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes,” and “Southern Cross.”
A statement issued about Crosby’s death read, “It is with great sadness after a long illness, that our beloved David (Croz) Crosby has passed away. He was lovingly surrounded by his wife and soulmate Jan and son Django. Although he is no longer here with us, his humanity and kind soul will continue to guide and inspire us. His legacy will continue to live on through his legendary music. Peace, love, and harmony to all who knew David and those he touched.”
Crosby was plagued by various health issues in his later adulthood. He suffered through addiction, diabetes, obesity, and liver problems through points in his life. He received a liver transplant in 1994, controversial due to his addiction issues.
