Brit Turner, drummer for 'Blackberry Smoke,' dead at 57 after brain cancer battle

Fans of the country rock music genre were shocked and saddened to learn of the death of a major talent.

According to USA Today, Brit Turner, a drummer and founding member of the country rock band Blackberry Smoke, died at 57.

The renowned drummer was diagnosed in 2022 with glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer with a high mortality rate, killing over 10,000 Americans per year.

Glioblastoma is also aggressive and grows fast, forcing the afflicted person to fight with everything they've got to survive, which is what his bandmates said he did from day one.

Members of the band, Blackberry Smoke, released a statement praising their late bandmate, praising him for the type of caring and driven person he was.

"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," band members said in a post paying tribute to Turner.

It added, "Brit was Blackberry Smoke's True North, the compass that instituted the ideology that will continue to guide this band."

In an X post, the band wrote, "It is with the deepest sorrow that we inform everyone that our brother Brit Turner has moved on from this life. Brit battled glioblastoma since his diagnosis & fought every day. We ask for prayers for his family & band brothers. Thanks to everyone who supported through this fight."

It is with the deepest sorrow that we inform everyone that our brother Brit Turner has moved on from this life. Brit battled glioblastoma since his diagnosis & fought every day. We ask for prayers for his family & band brothers. Thanks to everyone who supported through this fight pic.twitter.com/EsscjjmD2Z

— BLACKBERRY SMOKE (@blackberrysmoke) March 4, 2024

Turner's band experienced plenty of impressive accolades and accomplishments during his time as its drummer, as USA Today noted.

The band has topped Billboard U.S. and U.K. country album charts with 2015's "Holding All The Roses" and 2016's "Like An Arrow" and charted in the top 10 on rock album charts. The band appeared on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" and "Conan."

Fans of Turner and Blackberry Smoke posted tributes and condolences over the saddening loss of one of its founding members.

"To the family and friends of Brit Turner, I am truly sorry to hear of your loss, Please accept my sincere condolences," one X user wrote.

Another X user wrote, "Gone too soon. So sorry for your loss. May his contributions live on in many hearts and minds."

Clearly, Turner's legacy will live on, and his contributions to the genre will never be forgotten.