Turner was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2022
Blackberry Smoke drummer Brit Turner has died. The musician was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2022. The tumor developed into glioblastoma, a common form of cancer in the brain. The band confirmed his death on their official social media. He was 44 years old.
“It is with the deepest sorrow that we inform everyone that our brother Brit Turner has moved on from this life,” the band said in a statement. “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. Brit was Blackberry Smoke’s True North, the compass that instituted the ideology that will continue to guide this band. Brit has battled glioblastoma since his diagnosis in the fall of 2022 and fought every day. We ask for prayers for his family and band brothers. More information on arrangements will be forthcoming. Thank you to everyone who has supported and been there for Brit and his family through this fight.”
Blackberry Smoke recently announced a string of U.S. summer tour dates with Whiskey Myers.
In 2022, Turner suffered a medical “episode” and was rushed to the emergency room. The band revealed that Turner had recently suffered a heart attack, and it was believed that the latest medical issue stemmed from the heart attack. After receiving an MRI, doctors found a tumor on the frontal lobe of Turner’s brain.
“Sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction,” the band said at the time. “Friends, we have to postpone Friday night’s show in Montgomery, Alabama. At the performing arts center. It was supposed to be a Whippoorwill 10th anniversary show, but due to the current circumstances we do not feel right about trying to put something together for this Friday. Earlier this week, Brit Turner suffered an episode and needed to be taken to the ER. He was feeling alright but due to the issues from his recent heart attack, his medical team elected to keep him in the hospital and run a series of tests to determine what could have caused the situation. Upon receiving an MRI they found a tumor on his brain in the frontal lobe. We do not know any more than that at this time. Brit is now undergoing surgery and more testing to find out what his next steps to a healthy recovery will be.”
Brit Turner was born on May 8, 1979 in Atlanta, Georgia. He began playing drums when he was 8 years old. In 2000, he became a founding member of Blackberry Smoke.
The post Blackberry Smoke Drummer Brit Turner Dies at 44 first appeared on The Rock Revival.