Jam band patriarch Col. Bruce Hampton of Hampton Grease Band, The Quark Alliance and Col. Bruce Hampton and the Aquarium Rescue Unit, collapsed on stage at his star-studded 70th birthday celebration last night and was later announced dead at the hospital. The event was among the most beautiful and tragic events the jam scene has ever witnessed.

Hampton 70 was a celebration of Bruce’s life and incalculable contribution to the jam band scene over the last few decades. The event featured Bruce’s greatest friends and collaborators and the list read like a who’s who in the jam band scene. According to the Fox Theatre’s website, the list of guests included Widespread Panic members John Bell, Dave Schools, Duane Trucks and Jimmy Herring, Peter Buck of R.E.M, steel-guitar-man Darick Campbell, renowned saxophone player Karl Denson, Drew Emmitt and Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon, Jon Fishman of Phish, banjo-shredder Rev. Jeff Mosier, guitar god Warren Haynes, Drivin’ N Cryin’ front man Kevn Kinney, Atlanta jazz-staple Johnny Knapp, Chuck Leavell of The Allman Brothers Band and The Rolling Stones, Athens rock-troubadour T. Hardy Morris, 13-year old guitar prodigy Brandon Niederauer, John Popper of Blues Traveler, funk bassist Kevin Scott, keyboardist Matt Slocum, Denny Walley of Frank Zappa fame, gypsy-metal guitarist Emil Werstler, Oliver Wood of The Wood Brothers, the Colonel’s Sling Blade co-star and Oscar- award winning actor Billy Bob Thornton plus Cy Young winner Jake Peavy.

Towards the end of the show, Col. Bruce Hampton and guests were jamming on “Turn On Your Lovelight” when Hampton appeared to playfully slump over a monitor of stage after taking a turns on vocals. Guitar prodigy Brandon Niederauer and John Popper kept jamming until everyone realized Hampton wasn’t playing around. He was quickly taken off stage and rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Hampton’s family released the following 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.

Friend and fellow Aquarium Rescue Unit member, Rev. Jeff Mosier shared his thoughts on his Facebook page, “He died at Crawford Long Hospital here in Atlanta just a while ago. I feel so blessed to have been there tonight and be a part of the greatest gathering of friends and loved ones. I’ve never seen Bruce happier. I’ve never been sadder. I’ve dreaded this day for years, but could have never imagined a more joyful departure. I feel so lost.”

SETLIST: Hampton 70

Intro
“There Was A Time” (Jon Waterhouse, Bruce Hampton, Tyler Neal, Darren Stanley, Carter Herring, Johnny Knapp, Matt Slocum, Ike S.)
“Sing About It” (Oliver Wood, Darick Campbell, Duane Trucks, Emil Werstler, Matt Slocum)
“Postcards From Hell” (Oliver Wood, Darick Campbell, Duane Trucks, Kevin, Emil Werstler, Matt Slocum)
“Feeling Good” (Oliver Wood, Darick Campbell, Duane Trucks, Kevin Scott, Emil Werstler, Matt Slocum)
“Oh Pretty Woman” (Jake Peavy, Brandon “Taz” Niederauer, Duane Trucks, Kevin, Ike Stubblefield, Denny Walley, Horns, Yonrico Scott)
“Shake Your Hips” (Jake Peavy & Taz, Duane Trucks, Kevin Scott, Ike Stubblefield, Denny Walley, Horns, Yonrico Scott)
“Workin’ on a Building” (Vince Herman, Drew Emmitt, Jeff Mosier, John Popper, Duane, Kevin Scott, Emil Werstler, Matt Slocum)
“Black Bottom” (Vince Herman, Drew Emmitt, Jeff Mosier, John Popper, Duane Trucks, Kevin Scott, Emil Wrestler, Matt Slocum)
“She Caught the Katy” (Vince Herman, Drew Emmitt, Jeff Mosier, John Popper, Duane Trucks, Kevin, Emil Wrestler, Matt Slocum, Jeff Sipe, Horns, Jon Fishman)
“When You Come Back Next Time You Gotta Stay” (Kevin Lead) (Kevin Kinney, Hardy Morris, Todd Snider, Peter Buck, Dave Schools, Duane, Emil, Slocum, Tinsley,)
“Stupid Preoccupations” (Hardy Lead) (Kevin Kinney, Hardy Morris, Todd Snider, Peter Buck, Dave Schools, Duane, Kevin, Emil, Slocum, Tinsley, Schools)
“Play a Train Song” (Todd Snider lead) (Kevin Kinney, Hardy Morris, Todd Snider, Peter Buck, Dave Schools, Duane, Kevin, Emil, Slocum, Tinsley, Schools)
“Rip This Joint” (Peter Buck lead)/Karl Denson solos (Warren Haynes, Chuck Leavell, Peter Buck, Dave Schools, Jon Fishman, Karl Denson)
“Compared to What” (Sipe & Fish) Karl D solos (Warren Haynes, Chuck Leavell, Peter Buck, Dave Schools, Jon Fishman, Karl Denson)
“Good Morning Lil Schoolgirl” (Tinsley (Sipe & Fish) Karl D solos (Warren Haynes, Chuck Leavell, Peter Buck, Dave Schools, Jon Fishman, Karl Denson)
“More Trouble Everyday” (Fish & Trucks) HORNS (Warren Haynes, Chuck Leavell, Peter Buck, Dave Schools, Jon Fishman, Karl Denson)
“Jessica” (Fish & Trucks) (Warren Haynes, Chuck Leavell, Peter Buck, Dave Schools, Jon Fishman, Karl Denson)
“Time is Free” (John Bell, Jimmy Herring, Duane Trucks, Dave Schools, Matt Slocum, Chuck Leavell, Jeff Sipe)
“Throndossa” (JB, Jimmy, Duane, Schools, Slocum, Chuck Leavell, Jeff Sipe)
“Smokestack Lightning” (JB, Jimmy, Duane, Schools, Slocum) (Chuck Leavell) (Derek and Susan) (Falcon)
“Don’t Cry No More” (JB, Jimmy, Duane, Schools, Slocum) (Chuck Leavell) (Derek and Susan) (Falcon) (Horns)
“Yield Not to Temptation” (Bruce Hampton, JB, Jimmy, Duane, Schools, Slocum) (Bruce) (Derek and Susan) (Horns) (Falcon)
“Fixin to Die” (Bruce Hampton, JB, Jimmy, Duane, Schools, Slocum) (Bruce) (Derek and Susan)( Fishman)
“Don’t Go in the Room” (Bruce Hampton, Duane, Kevin, Emil, Slocum, Fishman)
“Space is the Place” (Bruce Hampton, Duane, Kevin, Emil, Slocum, Warren, Fishman) (Horns) (Maybe Fishman)
I’m So Glad (Bruce, Duane, Kevin, Emil, Slocum, Warren, Fishman, Horns)

ENCORE:
“Col.Bruce’s Military Ensemble” – EVERYONE (led by Sipe)
“Turn On Your Lovelight” – EVERYONE, (sung by Oliver Wood, Susan Tedeschi, Bruce Hampton, TAZ, John Popper solos)

The show was livestreamed and is hosted on YouTube. As Rev. Jeff Mosier said, it was great to see Bruce so happy and have such a joyful departure. R.I.P. Col. Bruce Hampton.

Thanks to Live For Live Music for the setlist.