Guitarist Bruce Hampton Died in the Most Rock-and-Roll Way Ever

Collapsed on birthday surrounded by members of Allman Brothers, R.E.M.

May 4, 2017 10:08 am
Guitarist Bruce Hampton Dies in the Most Rock and Roll Way Ever
Col. Bruce Hampton performs on stage during Hampton 70 at The Fox Theatre on May 1, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Raul R. Giunta/Getty Images)

He lived for rock and roll—until his last breath. A mainstay of the Atlanta avanta-rock scene  died in the most rock manner possible, performing on stage with members of the Allman Brothers, R.E.M., and Phish.

According to the Wall Street Journal, that unlikeliest of scenarios played out Monday night for Col. Bruce Hampton, a godfather to the jam-band scene.

Performing as part of his 70th birthday party at the Fox Theatre, Hampton had a who’s-who of acolyte rock stars backing him up, including R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck, Phish drummer Jon Fishman, guitarist Derek Trucks and vocalist Susan Tedeschi of the Tedeschi Trucks Band, guitarist Warren Haynes of The Allman Brothers Band, and John Popper of Blues Traveler.

During the encore, Hampton collapsed over an amplifier, and died shortly thereafter at a nearby hospital.

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