Brit Turner dies aged 57:Blackberry Smoke drummer passes away after brain cancer battle as rock ba
Blackberry Smoke drummer Brit Turner has died aged 57 following a battle with brain cancer.
The musician, who was a founding member of the Atlanta-formed group, was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a rare form of brain cancer, in late 2022 – with his death announced on Sunday by his bandmates Charlie Starr, Richard Turner, Paul Jackson and Brandon Still and touring members Benji Shanks and Preston Holcomb.
The Instagram post read: ‘It is with the deepest sorrow that we inform everyone that our brother @britturner13 has moved on from this life.
‘If you had the privilege of knowing Brit on any level, you know he was the most caring, empathetic, driven and endearing person one could ever hope to meet.
‘Brit was Blackberry Smoke’s True North, the compass that instituted the ideology that will continue to guide this band.
Blackberry Smoke drummer Brit Turner has died aged 57 following a battle with brain cancer (pictured 2019)
The musician, who was a founding member of the Atlanta-formed group, was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a rare form of brain cancer, in late 2022 – with his death announced on Sunday by his bandmates Charlie Starr, brother Richard Turner, Paul Jackson and Brandon Still (pictured 2015)
‘Brit has battled glioblastoma since his diagnosis in the fall of 2022 and fought every day. We ask for prayers for his family and band brothers.
‘More information on arrangements will be forthcoming. Thank you to everyone who has supported and been there for Brit and his family through this fight.’
Guns ‘N Roses guitarist Slash, 58, paid a heartfelt tribute to the star, writing: ‘We lost a f*****g great guy & musician today, #BritTurner.
‘He will be sorely missed. My heart goes out to Brit’s family, friends & band mates. RIP’.
Blackberry Smoke released latest album Be Right Here last month. The band is currently performing on a world tour in support of the record.
Turner is survived by actress daughter Lana, 17, and wife Shannon.
Lana herself was diagnosed with Stage 4 neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer that develops from nerve tissue, in late 2009 aged only three.
Tumors had taken over 97 percent of her body but in 2011, after years of treatment, her cancer went into remission.
The Instagram post read: ‘It is with the deepest sorrow that we inform everyone that our brother @britturner13 has moved on from this life’
Guns ‘N Roses guitarist Slash, 58, paid a heartfelt tribute to the star, writing: ‘We lost a f*****g great guy & musician today, #BritTurner’
Brit’s daughter Lana, now 17, was diagnosed with Stage 4 neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer that develops from nerve tissue, in late 2009 aged only three. Tumors had taken over 97 percent of her body but in 2011, after years of treatment, her cancer went into remission (pictured 2022)
On February 24, days before his death, Brit’s wife Shannon penned a tribute to him marking their 20th anniversary, writing: ’20 years married to the love of my life…this is what I get and I will happily take it’
Turner is pictured backstage at Atlanta’s The Tabernacle in 2017
Brit and Blackberry Smoke generated donations from their fans to raise awareness and funds for children’s cancer research.
He told Cure Childhood Cancer: ‘My daughter was very sick. While staying at the hospital, my wife and I watched families come and go. We watched many children die, and those unforgettable moments shattered us both deeply.
‘No matter what horrible situation is thrown at you, someone always has it worse. As a band, we have always performed at charity shows and try to lend a hand anytime we were able to. But it wasn’t until Lana was diagnosed that I felt it from the other side.
‘This was the first time I felt like I was completely helpless and that I couldn’t provide – I didn’t know what to do.’
Musician Randy Houser wrote: ‘Love to his band brothers and to his family’ while Butch Walker penned: ‘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.’
On February 24, days before his death, Brit’s wife Shannon penned a tribute to him marking their 20th anniversary, writing: ’20 years married to the love of my life…this is what I get and I will happily take it. @britturner13 Happy Anniversary. Loving you is the easiest and most natural thing I do. When others say marriage is hard work we always say no, not for us. I will love you forever.’
Brit suffered a heart attack at his home on August 16 2022 and received a stent in his coronary artery.
However on November 3 the band announced that tests had revealed a tumor in Brit’s brain, writing: ‘Sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction. Earlier this week, Brit Turner suffered an episode and needed to be taken to the ER.
‘He was feeling alright but due to the issues from his recent heart attack, his medical team elected to keep him in the hospital and run a series of tests to determine what could have caused the situation.
‘Upon receiving an MRI they found a tumor on his brain in the frontal lobe … Brit is now undergoing surgery and more testing to find out what his next steps to a healthy recovery will be.’
After having parts of his skull removed to remove the tumor, he was diagnosed with glioblastoma. Just days later he was discharged and by November 20 was back onstage.
On November 30 Blackberry Smoke said: ‘Continued testing has revealed his Glioblastoma diagnosis needs aggressive treatment. Fortunately, we are in touch with some of the best specialists to provide him the utmost care. Currently, we are working our way forward using all the resources that are available.
‘Brit will continue to be a part of everything that Blackberry Smoke does. Due to the nature of these treatments, and his own recovery schedule, we anticipate that there will likely be some periods that may keep Brit away from travel and performing live. We ask that you continue your support and trust that he will make every effort to be at all the shows. We will have someone to fill in in case he isn’t.’
Per Saving Country Music, on December 16th at The Vic Theatre in Chicago, Blackberry Smoke ‘had to stop the show in the middle of the set after Brit Turner experienced an episode and was helped off stage.’ He received medical care after his seizure.
Blackberry Smoke have performed alongside numerous artists such as Tedeschi Trucks Band, Guns N’ Roses, Zac Brown Band, ZZ Top, Eric Church and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Glioblastoma is considered the most aggressive tumor that can form in the brain.
Senator John McCain was diagnosed with one in July 2017 and passed away the following year aged 81.
The Wanted star Tom Parker died from stage four glioblastoma aged just 33 in March 2022.
Patients have a 10 percent chance of surviving five years after their diagnosis, according to figures. The average lifespan is between 14 and 16 months.
Three adults per every 100,000 will be struck down with a glioblastoma, says The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS).
It is most commonly found in men aged 50 to 60, and there is no link between developing glioblastoma and having a previous history with other cancers.
Turner continued performing throughout his cancer battle – seen drumming in March 2023 in Spain
WHAT IS A GLIOBLASTOMA AND JUST HOW DEADLY IS IT? THE AGGRESSIVE BRAIN TUMOR SUFFERED BY JOHN MCCAIN
Senator John McCain was diagnosed with a glioblastoma in July 2017
Glioblastoma is considered the most aggressive tumor that can form in the brain. Senator John McCain was diagnosed with one in July 2017.
Patients have a 10 percent chance of surviving five years after their diagnosis, according to figures. The average lifespan is between 14 and 16 months.
Three adults per every 100,000 will be struck down with a glioblastoma, says The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS).
It is most commonly found in men aged 50 to 60, and there is no link between developing glioblastoma and having a previous history with other cancers.
WHAT IS THE TUMOR MADE OF?
The tumor is made up of a mass of cells growing quickly in the brain, and in most cases patients have no family history of the disease.
It won’t spread to other organs, however, once it is diagnosed, it is nearly impossible to target, surgeons claim.
Unlike other types of brain cancer which are more specifically located, glioblastoma can occur in any part of the brain.
WHAT TREATMENT IS AVAILABLE?
Because the tumor likely already spread deep into the brain by the time it is diagnosed, the cancerous tissue is incredibly difficult to remove.
Surgeon will only ever remove the tumor, or part of the tumor, if it won’t do any damage to the surrounding brain tissue.
Dr Babcar Cisse, a neurosurgeon at the Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Center, told Daily Mail Online in July 2017: ‘By the time a glioblastoma is diagnosed, microfibers can spread to the rest of the brain which an MRI would not spot.
‘So even if the main tumor is removed and the patient receives radiation and chemotherapy, it will come back.’
GRADING A GLIOBLASTOMA
Brain tumors are graded from between one to four, depending on how fast they grow and how aggressive they are.
Malignant tumors are either given a high-grade three or four, while benign ones are given a lower grade one or two.
Glioblastoma is often referred to as a grade four astrocytoma – another form of brain tumor, says the AANS.
SYMPTOMS
Patients typically complain of symptoms such as confused vision, trouble with memory, dizziness and headaches.
The symptoms are somewhat nonspecific, and vary from person to person, and may not persist.
The disease is therefore impossible to diagnose based on symptoms alone.
ncG1vNJzZmhqZGy7psPSmqmorZ6Zwamx1qippZxemLyue8Keo56aXZy2tMCOnLCnnJliuaLBz56prGWdpLpuvMCsqp6rXZbEosWO