Bruce Hampton

jam vet Col. Bruce Hampton dies after collapsing on stage at 70th birthday show

Bruce Hampton

Jam scene veteran and experimental rock musician Colonel Bruce Hampton has sadly passed away after passing out on stage at his 70th birthday concert at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta last night (5/1). His family provided this statement:

After collapsing on stage surrounded by his friends, family, fans and the people he loved Col. Bruce Hampton has passed away. The family is asking for respect and privacy at this difficult time.

Bruce, whose real name is Gustav Valentine Berglund III, founded the Atlanta band Hampton Grease Band in the late ’60s, which also included Glenn Phillips as a member. They gained comparisons to Frank Zappa, and also signed to his Bizarre and Straight labels and opened for the Mothers of Invention (they were also known for opening for future jam legends the Grateful Dead and the Allman Brothers at the time). Bruce collaborated with Zappa few times around then as well.

Since the Hampton Grease Band’s breakup, Col. Bruce Hampton formed several other bands over the years, including The Late Bronze Age, The Aquarium Rescue Unit, The Codetalkers, The Quark Alliance, and more.

The Aquarium Rescue Unit and other Bruce Hampton projects were regulars of the ’90s touring jam fest H.O.R.D.E., which Bruce helped start (along with Blues Traveler).

In more recent times, Bruce appeared in Run the Jewels‘ video for “Blockbuster Night Part 1,” which you can watch below.

Rest in peace, Bruce. You’ll be missed.