BIOGRAPHY

Butch Trucks

Butch Trucks, born Claude Hudson Trucks on May 11, 1947 in Jacksonville, Florida, is an American drummer, best known as a co-founding member and one of two drummers in The Allman Brothers Band.

One of Butch's first bands was The Vikings, a local Jacksonville group who made a one 7-inch record in 1964. Another early band was The 31st of February which formed and broke up in 1968. This group's lineup eventually included both Duane Allman and Gregg Allman. They recorded a cover of "Morning Dew", by 1960s folk singer Bonnie Dobson.

In 1969, Trucks helped form The Allman Brothers Band, along with Duane Allman (guitar), Gregg Allman (vocals and organ), Dickey Betts (guitar), Berry Oakley (bass), and fellow drummer Jai Johanny Johanson (aka Jaimoe). Having two drummers in the band developed a rhythmic drive that would prove crucial to The Allman Brothers sound. Trucks lays down a powerful, conventional drum groove while the jazz-influenced Jaimoe adds a second layer of percussion and ad lib cymbal flourishes — seamlessly melding the two drummers into one syncopated sound.

Butch Trucks died Tuesday evening, January 24, 2017 in West Palm Beach, Florida from a self-inflicted gunshot wound; he was 69 years old.