Col. Bruce Hampton Dies on Stage During His 70th Birthday Tribute.

Many of you may have not heard of Colonel Bruce, but anyone familiar with the jamband/festival scene is probably familiar with him or has at least heard of his band the Aquarium Rescue Unit. His passing is sad indeed but the manner in which he went is really quite astounding. He passed out on stage (and never awakened) at his own 70th Birthday Celebration concert during the finale with nearly all of the performers from the night on stage with him playing "Turn On Your Lovelight," a tune many will recognize as a Grateful Dead concert staple.

The excerpt below from an article in Jambase Magazine sums it up best.

"Jam scene patriarch Col. Bruce Hampton died on stage during the final moments of a benefit concert honoring his 70th birthday at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta on Monday night. Hampton passed out with nearly the entire all-star lineup for Hampton 70: A Celebration Of Col. Bruce Hampton surrounding him as the “Turn On Your Lovelight” finale was nearing a conclusion."

"Many of Bruce’s musical friends and those he inspired gathered at the Fox on Monday for a benefit concert in honor of Hampton’s 70th birthday. John Popper, John Bell, Herring, Sipe, Jon Fishman, Duane Trucks, Rev. Jeff Mosier, Chuck Leavell and Warren Haynes were just a few of those who performed at the Fox. The concert featured over four hours of sensational performances and was just about to come to a conclusion when Bruce Hampton passed out. At first some of the musicians thought he was kidding around, but it soon became clear the situation was no joke."

Jambase Article

RIP CBH!


Sorry to hear of his passing. What a time to go. At least it was while they were celebrating his life. That's how I want to go.

-Alee

Like he planned it that way.

So did Maude...

my brother was at this show. so damn sad. but, I guess a good way to go....


when he passed out they thought he was playing so they continued on. crazy.

Well, he went happy. Dying doing something you enjoy would be a good way to go. It is better than dying sitting in a lazy-boy because you can't walk around anymore.

An old woman in a wheelchair won a fourwheeler at the Casino one night, she stayed till a little after the drawing at midnight. They decided to leave about a half hour after she won and wheeled her out to the car and on the way home she started having problems and they drove her to the hospital where she died within half an hour. I guess she did not want to have to deal with the kids and grandkids arguing over who was getting the four wheeler.

he made it thru most of the show. spectacular way to go out.

Wow, just wow! RIP

Holy cow !!... I wonder if they'd gotten him help immediately , instead of thinking he was faking it , if he'd still be alive ? .....I guess you can't really think that way , but still....