Butch Trucks, Allman Brothers Band drummer dies at age 69

WEST PALM BEACH, Florida (41NBC/WMGT) – The Allman Brothers Band drummer and co-founder, Butch Trucks, passed away at the age of 69. According to the band’s Facebook page, he died Tuesday night, January 24, in West Palm Beach, Florida.

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The Big House Museum in Macon, is dedicated to the Allman Brothers Band. The place is filled with memorabilia and archives from the band. The house originally belonged to the band. They would write songs, practice and simply hangout.

“I’m broken-hearted with all the other fans across the world,” said Big House Museum employee, Richard Brent. “Butch was one of the greatest drummers ever.”

The band formed in Jacksonville, Florida and got it’s start in 1969 in Macon, Georgia.

“They were an integrated band in the segregated South,” said Brent. “They just had this vision, they had this vision of purity. They were all about music, they were creating this music and getting lost in the music.”

Brent had met Trucks on various occasions. The last time was when Trucks visited the museum a few months ago.

“Butch was a real character, he was very outspoken, full of life, full of energy,” said Brent. “Butch was a father, a grandfather, friend.”

Brent says even with all of the heartbreak in the world, “Time heals everything, it’s a sad day, we’re all devastated, but we’ve still got the music.”

There is no cause of death at the time. Trucks’ and the band’s family ask for privacy at the time of their loss.

He is survived by his wife, four children, four grandchildren, members of The Allman Brothers Band, their families and road crew.

The family asks that any donations go to The Big House Museum in Macon.