Anais Gutierrez
Celebrated drummer John Blackwell Jr., known for lending his sticks to Prince for over a decade, died Tuesday at age 43, following a year-long battle with cancer.
His wife, Yaritza, broke the sad news via Instagram. Blackwell credits included artists such as D’Angelo, Patti LaBelle, and Justin Timberlake.
Sad news
Columbia native and former Prince drummer John Blackwell, Jr. has died, according to his Instagram account.
Blackwell’s wife, Yaritza, who updates her husband’s social media accounts, shared the news Tuesday on Instagram with a photo of her grasping his hand.
She wrote that he died “peacefully” in her company, adding, “Thank God for his life and thanks to everyone for their support.”
Blackwell was diagnosed with two brain tumors during a 2016 trip to Japan. A GoFundMe page, established to help cover medical costs, reached over $78,000 as of Tuesday.
Since that diagnosis, Blackwell changed his focus to undergoing surgeries and fighting to survive. Although he lost the use of an arm when doctors removed part of his brain while removing the tumors.
Four days prior to announcing Blackwell’s death, she shared an update on his health, saying her husband had been moved to a rehab facility to receive physical, occupational and speech therapies.
She also shared a candid post thanking donors and the medical team for all the help and prayers in the year-long battle.
“One year ago, my husband, incredible drummer John Blackwell Jr. was diagnosed with brain tumors while in Japan playing at the Blue Note Tokyo in a featuring with top bassist Nik West. This whole year has been very challenging not only for John, but for me also, that have to provide the care he needs, and with the help of God, you as donors, and his doctors, nurses and therapists he is still fighting hard to get better.”
“I pray God for John every day, every hour… and thank you for your prayers, donations and for the good thoughts for John,” she added.
Remembering the legendary drummer
Blackwell was born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina, and started playing drums at age 3. He learned from his father, John Blackwell Sr., a drummer himself, who played with Mary Wells, King Curtis, Joe Simon, J.J. Jackson, The Drifters, The Spinners, and others.
He was an American contemporary R&B, funk, jazz, fusion, and pop drummer, best known for his work with Prince. He grew up to be considered a master drummer and was known for his unique style of drumming.
The Columbia native graduated from Keenan High School and went on to study at Berklee College of Music. He got his breakthrough playing with Patti LaBelle in 1998 after his graduation from Berklee.
He drummed on her 1998 album, ‘Live! One Night Only’ and tour with her too.
Two years later he was recruited by Prince and joined Prince’s band, The New Generation, two years later, and lent his sticks for over a decade. With Prince, he would achieve the peak of his career and evolve into becoming the legendary drummer he’s known now.
The Tampa-based Blackwell first appeared on a Prince studio release with 2001’s ‘Rainbow Children’. He also featured in 2003 instrumental record, ‘N.E.W.S.’ among other Prince albums.
Blackwell last featured in ‘Hit n Run Phase Two‘, the last studio album Prince released before his April 2016 death.
Prince was like a father figure to him
Blackwell and Prince shared a rather special relationship. The drummer said last fall Prince was like a father figure to him and recruited him to play with him.
He said a dear friend had recently told him that he could just imagine Prince calling for him to play even in heaven.
Blackwell laughed saying, “I can hear Prince now say ‘I’ll just call John.’ No, you ain’t! I don’t want to do that gig. Not yet.”
He was more than Prince’s drummer. His credits include performing with a number of other high-profile artists, such as Patti LaBelle, Justin Timberlake, and Cameo.
In 2006, Blackwell toured with Justin Timberlake on his ‘FutureSex/LoveSounds’ tour.
Blackwell continued to play all over the world until it was discovered last year he had two brain tumors while in Japan playing the Blue Note Tokyo.
One of his last performances was with Columbia guitarist Terence Young.
He had reportedly been working on a book about his experiences on the stage.
He’s survived by his wife Yaritza Blackwell.
Kind words and thoughts
After learning the sad news of his death, various drummers and fellow musicians took a moment from the 4th of July celebration to pay tribute via social media.
Travis Barker of Blink-182 said that Blackwell Jr. was “one of the best to ever pick up drumsticks.” While Prince’s protegé Sheila E. said that he was “an amazing man.”
Justin Timberlake, Nik Weston, Bootsy Collins and Questlove from “The Roots” also shared kind words for the beloved and legendary drummer.
RIP John Blackwell.
My beautiful friend John Blackwell passed away 2day Plz keep his family in prayer. He was amazing manLuv u my brother pic.twitter.com/X08DYf7MJO
— SheilaEdrummer (@SheilaEdrummer) July 4, 2017
Rest In Peace #JohnBlackwell Your legend will live 4ever. One of the best to ever pick up drumsticks. Prayers to family and friends 🥁🙏🏻
— Travis Barker (@travisbarker) July 4, 2017
RIP, John Blackwell. You are a kind, gentle soul and one special talent. You will be missed by myself and so many. God bless you, bro.
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) July 5, 2017
#Prince just got his favorite drummer back and I know John is killing that groove up there. 😞💜#RipJohnBlackwell https://t.co/uw0U6GQytV pic.twitter.com/rBMXbOC3Y9
— Nik West (@Nikwestbass) July 4, 2017
We lost our friend & amazing Drummer, Mr. John Blackwell. Send up yr prayer's & love vibes for his family &… https://t.co/9DmXDeTWeB
— Bootsy Collins (@Bootsy_Collins) July 4, 2017
Source: CBC
