Tag: Col. Bruce Hampton

You’d be hard-pressed to find a story more rock n’ roll than the life and death of Col. Bruce Hampton. Here, author Jerry Grillo talks about his biography of the Atlanta jam-band legend and what made Hampton magical.

“Johnny had a million stories, and he knew a million songs—an endless flow of songs.” Johnny Knapp accompanied artists from Billie Holiday to Tony Bennett to Barbara Streisand. His friendship with Col. Bruce Hampton introduced him to a new audience of Atlanta music lovers. He died in Lawrenceville on November 9 at age 89.

Here are ten moments from 2017, both the good and the bad, that could have only happened in (or to) this city we call home, from the MARTA bus that wouldn't move to the fire-induced transit disasters to Falcons heartbreak.

The seventh-annual benefit concert on December 20 at Terminal West will feature several longtime Hampton collaborators. Artists include two-time Grammy winner Jim Lauderdale, flat-picking guitar virtuoso Larry Keel, banjoist/singer Jeff Mosier, Johnny Knapp, Donna Hopkins, and Ralph Roddenberry.

We recently talked with Widespread Panic's lead guitarist about the loss of old friends, leading a new ensemble, and playing with his longtime idol, John McLaughlin.

Derek Trucks, the cofounder of Tedeschi Trucks Band—which he formed in 2010 with his wife, musician Susan Tedeschi—has strong family ties to Georgia. His uncle, Butch Trucks, was one of the founding members of the Allman Brothers Band, and Derek played with the reunited ABB from 1999 to 2014. We recently chatted with the renowned guitarist about the band’s latest album and the state of rock music today.

Cycle under the stars, jam at Oakland Cemetery, and take in some free family fun.

I heard Col. Bruce Hampton say on several occasions that he’d probably die on stage, eventually—that he’d prefer to die there, actually. But I didn’t really take him seriously. Then, “eventually” arrived.

Johnny Knapp is 87, and he feels it. He moves with a walker, his withered legs powered by wiry forearms and large hands that have flown over piano keyboards for 70 years. It’s Tuesday, and his ride is waiting.