Butch Trucks facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Butch Trucks |
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Trucks in 2007
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Claude Hudson Trucks |
| Also known as | Butch Trucks |
| Born | May 11, 1947 Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. |
| Died | January 24, 2017 (aged 69) West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. |
| Genres | Rock, jazz, blues, jam, Southern rock |
| Occupations | Musician |
| Instruments | Drums |
| Years active | 1964–2017 |
| Labels | Flying Frog |
| Associated acts | The Allman Brothers Band, The 31st of February, Les Brers, Butch Trucks & the Freight Train Band, Frogwings |
Claude Hudson "Butch" Trucks (born May 11, 1947 – died January 24, 2017) was an American drummer. He was a founding member of The Allman Brothers Band. This famous band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995.
Butch Trucks grew up in Jacksonville, Florida. He played in different music groups before joining the 31st of February. He joined the Allman Brothers Band in 1969. Their live album, At Fillmore East (1971), was a big success. The band became very popular because of their live shows and successful albums. Even though the band broke up and reunited many times, Butch Trucks was always a part of it for 45 years. He passed away in 2017.
Early Life and First Bands
Claude Hudson Trucks was born on May 11, 1947, in Jacksonville, Florida. His father worked as an optician. Butch found his drumming talent in junior high school. His band director gave him drumsticks and asked him to play. He became the first chair drummer in high school.
Before graduating in 1965, Trucks played in two bands. One band was called The Vikings. The other band, the Echoes, mostly played Beatles songs. Trucks went to Florida State University for one year.
During this time, Trucks started a band called the Bitter Ind. He formed it with two friends from high school. They played songs by Bob Dylan, the Byrds, and the Lovin' Spoonful. The group moved to Daytona Beach, Florida to find more success.
At one club, he met Duane and Gregg Allman from the Allman Joys. His band changed its name to the 31st of February. They signed a deal with Vanguard Records. Their first album, The 31st of February, came out in 1968. The group also toured with the Allman brothers.
Music Career Highlights
In 1969, Butch Trucks was asked to join a new music project. This project was led by Duane Allman. Allman introduced Trucks to Jai Johanny Johanson (Jaimoe). Jaimoe would also be a drummer in the new band.
Together, Butch and Jaimoe created a special rhythm. Trucks played a strong, steady beat. Jaimoe added jazz-like percussion and cymbal sounds. Their drumming styles blended perfectly into one unique sound. Dickey Betts, a founding member, said Butch's powerful drumming set up Jaimoe's style perfectly.
This group became the Allman Brothers Band. They started touring a lot. Their first album, The Allman Brothers Band, was released in November 1969. Butch Trucks continued to play with the Allman Brothers Band until they stopped touring in 2014.
From 1982 to 1984, the Allman Brothers Band took a break. During this time, Trucks was part of a group called Betts, Hall, Leavell and Trucks.
Butch Trucks was very interested in using the internet for music. He wanted to make the web a "real venue" for bands. He also helped connect the Allman Brothers to other "jam bands." In 2013, he started the Roots Rock Revival master camp. This camp was a place for musicians to learn and play.
In 2015, Trucks played at two festivals with a band called Butch Trucks & Very Special Friends. This band later became Les Brers. It included other former Allman Brothers band members, like Jaimoe. He also performed with a band called Butch Trucks & The Freight Train Band.
Butch Trucks also had a strong interest in philosophy and books. He once wrote a letter to The New York Times Book Review. He disagreed with a writer who described Duane Allman in a way he felt was unfair. He also criticized an old Rolling Stone article about the band. Trucks felt the article made the band members seem uneducated.
Family and Legacy
Butch Trucks was married to Melinda Trucks for 25 years. They had two children together. He also had two children from an earlier marriage. He had four grandchildren.
Butch Trucks was part of a musical family. His nephew, Derek Trucks, is a famous guitarist. Derek joined the Allman Brothers Band in 1999. He also co-founded the Tedeschi Trucks Band. Another nephew, Duane Trucks (Derek's younger brother), plays drums for other bands like Widespread Panic. Butch's oldest son, Vaylor Trucks, is a guitarist in a band called The Yeti Trio.
See also
In Spanish: Butch Trucks para niños
