The late John Blackwell — a former drummer for Prince
John Blackwell Jr., a drummer best known for his work with Prince, has died at the age of 43.
His wife announced his death Tuesday on Instagram.
Blackwell was diagnosed with brain tumors in 2016, according to his wife, who posted on his social media accounts.
Blackwell began playing drums at the age of 3, inspired by his father, who was also a drummer. Blackwell performed with Patti LaBelle before joining Prince’s band, The New Power Generation, in 2000. He played with Prince for 12 years before taking on other creative projects.
By Joy Johnston | Cox Media Group – National Content Desk
A GoFundMe account was established last year to cover Blackwell’s medical expenses.
https://www.gofundme.com/johnblackwelljr
John Blackwell Jr, legendary drummer, is in the process of getting tested for what the doctors think may be tumors in his brain. Right now he is in a hospital in Japan.
We are asking for donations, so we can help to pay the medical expenses, and other everyday expenses.
We appreciate your contributions. Please keep my husband in your prayers.
God Bless you,
Yaritza Cambero Blackwell
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Other Notable Musicians’ Deaths… July 2017
4: John Blackwell, 43, American funk and jazz drummer (Prince), brain tumor.
3: Zdenek Juracka (cs), 70, Czech guitarist; Rudy Rotta, 66, Italian blues guitarist and singer.
2: Chris Roberts, 73, German singer and actor, cancer.
June 2017
30: Karunamaya Goswami, 74, Bangladeshi musicologist.
29: Sabita Chowdhury, 72, Indian singer, cancer; Yu Lun, 92, Chinese composer.
28: Phil Cohran, 90, American jazz trumpeter; Gary DeCarlo, 75, American singer (Steam) and songwriter (“Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye”), lung cancer.