Col. Bruce Hampton, Jam Band Musician, Dies After Collapsing At Fox Theatre

ATLANTA, GA — Col. Bruce Hampton, the godfather of the modern jam band scene and an artist with a flair for the absurd, died Monday night at the Fox Theatre after collapsing at the conclusion of a concert celebrating his 70th birthday, a fitting end to a life that was spent celebrating the surreal.

The singer and guitarist, who led the Aquarium Rescue Unit and served as a mentor to members of high-profile acts like the Allman Brothers Band, Widespread Panic and Tedeschi Trucks Band, fell to the stage while performing the song "Turn On Your Lovelight" at the sold-out concert, which featured appearances by members of the aforementioned groups as well as musicians from R.E.M. and Phish.

Hampton turned 70 on April 30. He was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, and lived in Georgia.

Hampton led several bands, including the Hampton Grease Band, before forming the Aquarium Rescue Unit in 1988. The ARU was a key act on the nascent jam band scene and introduced fans to guitarist Jimmy Herring, who went on to play with the Allmans and Widespread Panic, among others, and bassist Oteil Burbridge, who became a member of the Allmans until their recent retirement as well as Dead and Company, the post-Grateful Dead outfit that features John Mayer. Known as having a knack for sniffing out talent, Hampton joked in an interview that he was "a minor league coach for the Grateful Dead and the Allman Brothers." The ARU, which also featured drummer Jeff Sipe (Warren Haynes, Trey Anastasio) and the Rev. Jeff Mosier on banjo, reunited without Mosier for a 2015 tour.

Hampton's colleagues and proteges, many of whom performed at Monday's show, posted heartfelt tributes to him overnight and into Tuesday, including Burbridge and Mosier, who posted an emotional video message on Facebook.

Good Times Productions, which presented the "Hampton 70" concert with the Fox, released the following statement Friday:

We are heartbroken, but also grateful that we were able to celebrate the musical career of Col. Bruce Hampton with so many of his closest friends and family from both Georgia and beyond. The concert was a celebration for the ages, most fitting for the man of honor; but in the end, it was not the party that we intended. As we reflect upon the concert, the night, and our dear friend, Bruce, our hearts are overflowing with joy, gratitude, and love from the music that emanated from the Fox Theatre on Monday night.

Bruce loved nothing more than sharing his music and art with the world around him, and Hampton 70 allowed him to do just that in front of his cherished hometown. He was insistent that the concert help others enjoy music and was delighted that the proceeds were benefitting charities, like the Fox Theatre Institute and MusiCares. He was surrounded by the musicians he adored and the fans that loved him. Bruce displayed an energy and level of excitement that was apparent to everyone around him. From the first note on Mondaynight, Bruce’s infectious energy transcended the stage into the concert hall with increasing power as the night progressed. There was no question to anyone in attendance of the genius and greatness of Col. Bruce Hampton.

As we mourn the loss of a friend and legendary musician, we thank the countless friends for sharing their sentiments, memories, love and light. To those seeking to honor Bruce, the family requests donations be sent to the Georgia Music Foundation. A dedicated pledge site will soon be available for public donations.

We ask that everyone respect the privacy of the Hampton family during this difficult time.

Photo: Col. Bruce Hampton and his wife attend the 'Hampton 70: A Celebration Of Col. Bruce Hampton' at The Fox Theatre on May 1 in Atlanta. Credit: Rick Diamond/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images