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John Blackwell Jr, who drummed for the late Prince for 15 years, has died in Florida at the age of 43. He passed away on Tuesday (July 4) after a year long battle with a brain tumour.

The news was broken by Blackwell’s wife, Yaritza, who shared the news on the late drummer’s Instagram account.

She wrote: “My husband incredible drummer John Blackwell Jr. passed the way peacefully in my company today. Thanks God for his life and thanks everyone for their support."

 

My husband incredible drummer John Blackwell Jr. passed the way peacefully in my company today. Thanks God for his life and thanks everyone for their support. Yaritza

A post shared by John Blackwell (@johnblackwelljr) on Jul 4, 2017 at 10:28am PDT

Blackwell took up the drums at an early age. His father, John Blackwell Sr., played with the likes of Mary Wells, King Curtis, Joe Simon, J.J. Jackson, The Drifters and The Spinners. Blackwell Jr., went on to drum with Patti LaBelle in the 90s before becoming Prince’s drummer in 2000. He stayed with him for 12 years. He also worked with Justin Timberlake in 2006 and in 2015 he became a member of D’Angelo’s band, The Vanguard.

Tributes have been quick to pour in. Prince’s estate, Paisley Park, tweeted: “Thank you for everything you shared with us John. Your beautiful spirit and incredible music will live on 4Ever!”

Thank you for everything you shared with us John. Your beautiful spirit and incredible music will live on 4Ever! #JohnBlackwell 💜 https://t.co/g0UTaM1aDX

— Paisley Park (@PaisleyPark) 4 July 2017

Dream Theater’s Mike Portnoy said: ““So sad to hear of the passing of John Blackwell...hung with him many times...great drummer and great guy...taken waaaay too soon : (“

So sad to hear of the passing of John Blackwell...hung with him many times...great drummer and great guy...taken waaaay too soon : ( pic.twitter.com/CzyBJNAqOH

— Mike Portnoy 🤘 (@MikePortnoy) 4 July 2017

Legendary bassist Bootsy Collins took to Facebook to write: “We lost our friend & amazing Drummer, Mr. John Blackwell. Send up yr prayer's & love vibes for his family & friends. Man he was doing better just last week we thought. Leave yr thoughts & comments & I will forward to his Wife "Yaritza". R.I.P. Good brother...”

Former Prince drummer Sheila E added to the tributes: “My beautiful friend John Blackwell passed away 2day Plz keep his family in prayer. He was amazing manLuv u my brother”

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) 4 July 2017

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