Blackberry Smoke’s Brit Turner Dies Of Brain Cancer

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Brit Turner

Brit Turner, a co-founder and drummer of southern rock band Blackberry Smoke, passed away on Sunday (March 3) after a battle with brain cancer. He was 57.

Turner was diagnosed with glioblastoma in 2022. Earlier this week, the band shared on social media that he had passed.

“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,” the band shared. “Brit was Blackberry Smoke’s True North, the compass that instituted the ideology that will continue to guide this band.”

 

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Turner, a Michigan native, formed Blackberry Smoke in 2000 alongside his brother Richard Turner (bass, vocals) as well as Charlie Starr (vocals, guitar), Paul Jackson (guitar, vocals) and Brandon Still (keyboards) in Atlanta, Georgia. Since their establishment, Preston Holcomb (drums) and Benji Shanks (guitar) have joined the band as well.

Throughout their prolific career, Blackberry Smoke has released seven studio albums including 2021’s You Hear Georgia, which celebrated their 20th anniversary as a band. In addition to their studio albums, they have released several other projects such as their EPs Stoned, The Southern Ground Sessions and Live From Capricorn Studios as well as Homecoming: Live In Atlanta, a live album and concert film.

Blackberry Smoke released their most recent album, Be Right Here, on Feb. 16, featuring Turner’s playing. The project debuted at No. 1 on the Current Country Albums chart,
Americana/Folk Albums chart and Current Rock Albums chart as well as No. 4 on the Best-Selling Current Albums chart.

Since 2000, the band has built a solid reputation for their relentless touring, building a strong and loyal community of fans. Turner continued to play with Blackberry Smoke on tour through December 2023.

Funeral arrangements for Turner are expected to be announced shortly.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Families and Communities Together Relief (FACT), which offers aid to families whose principal bread-winner is struck by a serious illness and will support Turner’s family.

LB Cantrell
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