Blackberry Smoke’s Brit Turner endured a harrowing 2022, suffering a heart attack in August of that year and then undergoing brain surgery in November after a tumor was discovered during a routine MRI. Turner continued to battle glioblastoma (brain cancer) over the next couple years, until his death this past weekend at 57. Through it all, his strength and perseverance never faltered, especially as he continued to tour with Blackberry Smoke whenever he could.
Nowhere was Turner’s fortitude and love of music more clear than during his first show back with Blackberry Smoke on Nov. 25, 2022 — not long after his surgery. Making the occasion even more special, it was a hometown show for Blackberry Smoke at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, and as frontman Charlie Starr introduced the band, he declared Turner was “back where he was born to be.”
A massive standing ovation followed, and after a couple minutes, Starr quipped, “Y’all just said it better than we ever could!”
The show, of course, also featured plenty of music, including a booming rendition of “Waiting for the Thunder” to open the show, and a special cover of the Rolling Stones’ “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” during the encore.
Following news of Turner’s death on Sunday, tributes poured in from across the music world. Guns ’N Roses guitarist Slash called the drummer a “fucking great guy and musician,” adding, “He will be sorely missed.” Butch Walker added, “My longtime brother has moved on. I am heartbroken and have been crying all night but i know he’s finally at peace. Long live Brit Turner.”
And Luke Combs wrote, “Damn. Can’t believe it. Brit was so awesome to me when he didn’t have to be. RIP.”
After announcing Turner’s death, Blackberry Smoke also shared a donation page for the non-profit group, Families and Communities Together (FACT) Relief. The group encouraged fans to donate if they could — the organization aims to support families when the head of household is diagnosed with a potentially fatal illness. “While the Turner Family is financially stable, as we discuss options, research, and cultivate plans for what the future looks like, we know there will be unforeseen situations,” the band wrote. “Residual funds are granted to deserving causes.”
Blackberry Smoke released their latest album, Be Right Here, with Turner on drums, last month.