The music world is mourning the loss of Brit Turner, the co-founder and drummer of the Southern rock band Blackberry Smoke, who died on Sunday at the age of 57. Turner had been battling glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, since his diagnosis in 2022.
Who was Brit Turner?
Brit Turner was born in Mt. Clemons, Michigan, and grew up in a musical family. His father played in a big band and his uncle was a guitarist. Turner started playing drums at the age of 11 and was influenced by hard rock and heavy metal bands like AC/DC, Judas Priest, and Iron Maiden.
In 1988, he formed a thrash metal band called Nihilist with his brother Richard Turner, who played bass. The brothers later switched to a more Southern rock style and joined forces with singer-guitarist Charlie Starr and guitarist Paul Jackson to form Blackberry Smoke in 2000. Keyboardist Brandon Still joined the band soon after.
Blackberry Smoke became one of the most successful and respected bands in the Southern rock genre, blending country, blues, and jam elements. They released eight studio albums, two live albums, and five EPs, and toured extensively across the US, Europe, Australia, and South America. They collaborated with legends like George Jones, Gregg Allman, and Warren Haynes, and opened for acts like Guns N’ Roses, Zac Brown Band, ZZ Top, and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Turner was known for his powerful and versatile drumming, as well as his charismatic and humorous personality. He was the “big brother” and the “true north” of the band, according to his bandmates, who described him as “the most caring, empathetic, driven and endearing person one could ever hope to meet.”
What is glioblastoma?
Glioblastoma is a type of cancer that starts from astrocytes, the star-shaped cells that support the nerve cells in the brain. It is the most common and most aggressive type of brain tumor in adults, and has a very poor prognosis. The average survival time after diagnosis is about 12 months, and less than 10% of patients survive longer than five years.
The cause of glioblastoma is not clear, but some risk factors include genetic disorders, such as neurofibromatosis and Li–Fraumeni syndrome, and previous radiation therapy. The symptoms of glioblastoma vary depending on the location and size of the tumor, but may include headaches, personality changes, nausea, seizures, and weakness or numbness in parts of the body.
The diagnosis of glioblastoma is usually made by a combination of CT scan, MRI scan, and tissue biopsy. The treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and targeted therapy, but none of them can cure the disease. The tumor almost always recurs after treatment, and becomes more resistant to therapy.
How did Brit Turner cope with his illness?
Turner was hospitalized in August 2022 after suffering a heart attack at home, but recovered and returned to the stage shortly after. He was diagnosed with glioblastoma in November 2022 and had surgery to remove a brain tumor. He continued to tour with Blackberry Smoke until his health deteriorated.
Turner faced his illness with courage and optimism, and was supported by his family, friends, and fans. He expressed his gratitude for the love and prayers he received, and said he was “not afraid of anything.” He also said he was proud of his legacy and his band, and hoped to inspire others with his music.
Turner is survived by his wife, two daughters, his brother, and his bandmates. His funeral arrangements are not yet announced. His band said they will continue to honor his memory and his music, and asked for prayers for his family. They also thanked everyone who supported and cared for Turner during his fight.
Turner’s death has sparked an outpouring of tributes from his peers and admirers in the music industry, who praised his talent, his spirit, and his influence. He will be remembered as one of the best drummers and one of the kindest souls in rock and roll.
