Coming from a musical family and a strong musical background the news of the passing of one of the greatest live performance drummers of all time was heartbreaking. The news of John Blackwell Jr.’s passing has slowing been circulating throughout multitudinous media outlets, and it is still taking a lot to completely process what has happened. In a little over a year since the passing of Prince, one of the greatest musicians and performers of all time, an integral part of his musical ensemble has also passed away.
For me, the news is immensely humbling, having a younger brother is considered to be one of the best drummers of his era, who happens to be the same age as John makes this more personal than I would like to admit. To the untrained ear, drummers come a dime a dozen, but the rare of greatness is so distinct that it cannot be confused with the mediocrity and contentment of just being average. There was Prince that made you aspire to be the best you could be at what you did, and John Blackwell had that same aura about him.the rare of greatness is so distinct that it cannot be confused with the mediocrity and contentment of just being average. There was Prince that made you aspire to be the best you could be at what you did, and John Blackwell had that same aura about him.
According to Blackwell’s wife, Yaritza, he died peacefully in her company on July 4, 2017. The fact that he passed away peacefully will have to serve as solace for his numerous fans and admirers.
While Blackwell was based in Tampa, Florida, he is originally from Columbia, South Carolina where he grew up in a musical family. In fact, his father, John Blackwell Sr. was also a drummer. After graduating from the Berklee College of Music, Blackwell was recruited by Prince to be a part of his band, the New Power Generation and he would be considered Prince’s drummer for more than a decade after.Carolina where he grew up in a musical family. In fact, his father, John Blackwell Sr. was also a drummer. After graduating from the Berklee College of Music, Blackwell was recruited by Prince to be a part of his band, the New Power Generation and he would be considered Prince’s drummer for more than a decade after.
While Blackwell will always be considered to be Prince’s drummer, he actually has a laundry list of music legends that he has played for, including Justin Timberlake, Maze, Patti Labelle, Diddy and Bootsy Collins. Additionally, he also released an instructional drumming DVD in addition to his own solo album entitled The John Blackwell Project.Prince’s drummer, he actually has a laundry list of music legends that he has played for, including Justin Timberlake, Maze, Patti Labelle, Diddy and Bootsy Collins. Additionally, he also released an instructional drumming DVD in addition to his own solo album entitled The John Blackwell Project.
Since the news of Blackwell’s untimely death, there has been no shortage of music and entertainment icons taking to the social media airwaves to say their goodbyes and acknowledge the undeniable greatness of John Blackwell Jr.
Mark G. Thornton Tweeted:
“RIP to the best drummer I’d ever seen, John Blackwell.”
Legendary percussionist, Shelia E., who was also immensely close to Prince, tweeted:
“My beautiful friend John Blackwell passed away 2day Pl keep his family in prayer. He was an amazing man. Luv you my brother.”
Blackwell once told an interviewer at Vibe magazine that Prince was extremely demanding, always wanting his musicians to be as good as he was, and he wanted them to see music as belonging to everyone. He said that things would get so intense at the studio that he would get mad and leave and go home to his wife and tell her that Prince was driving him crazy. Then he said that he wife would be driving him crazy and he would call Prince and ask if he had any studio work for him.he wife would be driving him crazy and he would call Prince and ask if he had any studio work for him.
The truth is that John demanded a lot from himself. He could not only hear the music, but he could feel the music, making it much easier to express the music in ways that very can. We have truly lost a legend and he will be immensely missed. May you forever rest in peace John Blackwell.
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