Butch Trucks, Allman Brothers Band drummer and co-founder, reportedly shot himself in front of his wife
Co-founder and drummer of The Allman Brothers Band, Claude Hudson ‘Butch’ Trucks, killed himself, it has been confirmed.
Named by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the top 10 drummers in rock history, Butch Trucks, 69, reportedly shot himself in the head at his waterfront Florida condo in front of his wife of 25 years, Melinda
Trucks allegedly, was having financials problems, he was forced to sell his Palm Beach home in 2011 at half price of $2 million to pay off a $800,000 mortgage
In 2016, the IRS filed two liens against the condo to force Trucks to pay additional taxes of more than $540,000 for 2013 and 2014
Butch Trucks was considered one of the top 10 drummers in rock history by Rollingstones magazine
Butch and Melinda Trucks. The recording artist shot himself in front of her. The couple had been married for 25 years
Melinda was unable to form complete sentences when speaking with dispatchers and it was noted in the report that the she had witnessed her husband of more than 25 years pull the trigger.
His rep had confirmed he died on Tuesday, but did not publicize his cause of death, asking fans to respect the family and band’s privacy.
Butch Trucks [background], seen her performing with the Allman Brothers Band, died on Tuesday
The call was made around 6 p.m. on Tuesday and he was still breathing when emergency personnel arrived to his West Palm Beach condo, but died moments later at 69.
Melinda and her son were waiting in the hallway of the condo when responders arrived. The pair had two children together, daughter Melody and a son Vaylor, also a musician. Trucks who also had two children from a previous marriage was a grandfather of four.
The motives behind his death remain unclear but reports indicate Butch was having financial troubles. He reportedly had to sell a Palm Beach mansion for $2 million, half the value in 2011, to pay off a mortgage while the IRS had filed two liens against the West Palm Beach condo for owed taxes totaling more than $540,000 in 2016
Current cast of The Allman Brothers Band [L-R], Gregg Allman, Jaimoe and Butch Trucks in 2010
Butch who was named one of the top 10 drummers in rock history by Rolling Stone, first encountered brothers Gregg and Duane Allman at a gig in Daytona Beach.
The Jacksonville, Fla. native was called by the brothers to play with them one night after meeting and years later, that one encounter would lead to the forming of the official Allman Brothers Band.
Butch and drummer Jai (Jaimoe) Johnny Johanson both worked to create the classic southern-rock sound and the percussion provided to the Allman Brothers Band’s music.
![The Allman Brothers Band, [L-R] Duane Allman, Dickey Betts, Gregg Allman, Jai Johanny Johanson, Berry Oakley and Butch Trucks - May 5, 1969.jpg](https://i0.wp.com/konniemoments.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/the-allman-brothers-band-l-r-duane-allman-dickey-betts-gregg-allman-jai-johanny-johanson-berry-oakley-and-butch-trucks-may-5-1969.jpg?resize=620%2C399&ssl=1)
The Allman Brothers Band, [L-R] Duane Allman, Dickey Betts, Gregg Allman, Jai Johanny Johanson, Berry Oakley and Butch Trucks – May 5, 1969
Bandmate Gregg Allman, who lost his brother Duane in 1971, said he lost another brother this week.
“I’m heartbroken,” Gregg said in a statement. “I’ve lost another brother and it hurts beyond words. Butch and I knew each other since we were teenagers and we were bandmates for over 45 years. He was a great man and a great drummer and I’m going to miss him forever.”
The group broke up and then reunited three times during their run and Trucks went on to play music in his own group, Butch Trucks and the Freight Train Band, after they went their separate ways.
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