Jam band guitarist and singer Col. Bruce Hampton died on stage Monday night while celebrating his 70th birthday.
Hampton is best known for his Hampton Grease Band from the 1970s and his Aquarium Rescue Unit in the 1990s. The birthday concert featured Warren Haynes, Blues Traveler's John Popper, Phish's Jon Fishman and Chuck Leavell and special guests, including teenage guitar prodigy Brandon “Taz” Niederauer.
Witnesses say they initially thought Hampton collapsed as a joke. Live for Live Music said it appeared as though Hampton was "falling at the feet of his youngest star" while Niederaurer soloed.
Hampton's family confirmed his death in a statement via the Tedeschi Trucks Band Facebook page and asked for "respect and privacy at this difficult time."
Original article by Andrew Magnotta at iHeartRadio