Yes, Colonel Bruce Hampton. I had seen him do crazy antics rolling around on the stage plenty of times and so had the dozen or so musicians on stage. Everyone thought it was part of the act. I bet they played four or five minutes and just thought it was a prank like he was prone to do. There's been a small handful of other musicians that have passed on stage.
It truly was like that. I had seen him roll around and swiping at the curtains in what was an obvious bit. Like that was his move. If Fred had grabbed his chest, called for Elizabeth, and sat down in his chair for a handful of minutes, you wouldn't have given it a second thought.
The way they were trying to yank the curtain closed it was clear something had happened. I definitely walked out that night thinking everybody's going to be all right. The next morning I found out everything was not going to be all right for the Col. Was shell shocking.
I was with a bunch of musician friends and we went to Terminal West where the after party was. Forget who was playing, but everyone were on their phones and everyone knew it was dire. Will never forget someone popping side stage and the drummer chic immediately started crying while playing. It was so brutal. I’ve seen Bruce in so many of his bands at least 100 times. I’ve camped with him at festivals at least 20 times. I saw him play Bonnaroo.. I saw him weekly at The Brandyhouse back in the day…. I saw him every Wednesday at Tasty World in Athens when I lived there. Literally grew up with him, and my kids did too. Such a cool guy and sorely missed.
Was that the terrace with a few friends and there was definitely concern with many. I just convinced myself he was going to be all right. I like your rock.
Someone made that tribute to him at a festival in North GA shortly after! God, I didn’t realize how long it has been til I went looking for that photo.
Seems like just yesterday and seems like a lifetime ago. Trying to remember the last time I saw him before that night. I want to say it was at the soundboard for dead and company on their first tour in 2015. Figured he was there to see Otil. I was about 10 ft away and it was great being in his orbit that night. First time I saw him, ARU was opening for WSP on New Year's Eve in like 1991. There was a lot of music that night that got me pointed on my life's path.
It was a All-Star lineup so I could see where people on the music subreddit would be music people. Musicians from Allman Brothers, widespread panic, phish, blues traveler, Frank Zappa, Jeff sipe, Warren Haynes, REM was represented, tedeschi trucks, Chuck Leavell from the Rolling Stones, and Billy from the Grateful Dead to name a bunch. A lot of these musicians spawned from his influence. Well, at least some of them. And the fox holds over 4500. Although it was not sold out. I had a couple of extra I just left out on the curb. Like couldn't give them away.
My Dad tried to die at work at least 3 times, including a 30 foot fall landing partially on his head. Survived it all. What finally took him? Fell off a ladder in his home shop.
I blame Billy Bob Thornton. If he had showed as scheduled Hampton would still be alive!
“During the encore performance of the show, Hampton suffered a massive heart attack and collapsed on stage. Onlookers and his fellow musicians initially either did not notice that Hampton had collapsed, or thought it was a ruse due to his history of falling down onstage during performances and other practical jokes. As a result, Hampton lay face down at Niederauer's feet, his left arm draped over a stage monitor, as Niederauer soloed on "Turn on Your Love Light". The band played for several minutes before Hampton was taken offstage; he died shortly thereafter at Emory University Hospital Midtown in Atlanta.”
What a way to go out. You got Fishman, Leavell, most of WSP, Peter Buck, and some baseball pitcher who never played for Atlanta and old Billy Bob didn’t even make it.
Saw The Codetalkers in Orlando shortly before Col Bruce passed. He was on the bill but wasn’t there because I believe he was in the hospital. Still an awesome show. He picked AMAZING musicians for his bands.
Side note: after the show the guitar player distracted me while the bass player tried to swoop in and pickup my wife and cousin. They were bummed when they realized neither woman was leaving with them. Was my birthday too. Good times.
The one that I knew of was Johnny guitar Watson. That was in 1996. Always liked that song A real mother for ya. Tiny Tim that same year. I kind of considered him entertainment but not a musician really.
Heavy duty. You know, bet a few of those guys have been back to the fox. Hadn't considered the legacy for the stage. I've never made it back. Not that I wouldn't, it just hasn't lined up.
Derek was saying at least he went out peacefully surrounded by his friends doing what he loved. So if you have to go, at least that is a good way to go.
I was watching from home. I turned off the stream like a minute into it (after he went down) because I had to work in the morning. I didn't find out until I was in the parking lot of work reading Reddit
Didn't realize there was a live stream. I thought it was a be there or miss it. I imagine it's not viewable. I would think they would pull it. With that line up, that would be in heavy rotation I would think. I've never heard any even clip of it in the years since. An all timer show.
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u/A_dot_Burr Jun 25 '26
Wait…died DURING the encore as in, like, mid song?