American rock band Blackberry Smoke is in mourning following the passing of their drummer and co-founder, Brit Turner. The musician, aged 57, lost his battle with brain cancer known as glioblastoma after almost two years of fighting.
In a statement shared by their representative with Fox News Digital, the band expressed their deep sorrow over Brit Turner’s passing. Describing him as caring, empathetic, driven, and endearing, the band emphasized his importance as the “True North” of Blackberry Smoke, setting the foundation for the group’s ideology.
Brit Turner’s diagnosis was in the fall of 2022, and since then, he has fought tirelessly against glioblastoma. As a tribute to him, the band asked for prayers for his family and bandmates, including his biological brother, Richard, who is also a part of Blackberry Smoke.
Established in 2000, Blackberry Smoke consists of members such as Charlie Starr, Paul Jackson, Brandon Still, who have been part of the band since its inception. Over the years, they added Benji Shanks and Preston Holcomb to the lineup in 2018.
More information regarding Brit Turner’s arrangements will be provided in due course. The band expressed gratitude to everyone who supported Brit and his family during this challenging time. Despite the loss, Blackberry Smoke continues their “Be Right Here” international tour.
As the first independent artist to top the Billboard Country Album charts, Blackberry Smoke has had a successful career. Their album “The Whippoorwill” made it to the Billboard Top 40, marking a significant milestone in the group’s journey.
Throughout their career, Blackberry Smoke has shared the stage with iconic musicians, including Zac Brown Band, Guns N’ Roses, Eric Church, ZZ Top, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. The music community has been quick to offer condolences, with Zac Brown Band and Slash expressing their sorrow over Brit Turner’s passing.
