Blackberry Smoke Drummer Brit Turner Dead at Age 57 After Brain Cancer, Band Confirms with 'Deepest Sorrow'

"Thank you to everyone who has supported and been there for Brit and his family through this fight," wrote the southern rock band on Instagram

Brit Turner, drummer for southern rock band Blackberry Smoke, has died. He was 57.

The Atlanta-formed group revealed the news via Instagram on Sunday night and explained that Turner's death comes after he was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer, in 2022.

"It is with the deepest sorrow that we inform everyone that our brother @britturner13 has moved on from this life," wrote Blackberry Smoke, which also features Charlie Starr, Richard Turner, Paul Jackson and Brandon Still as well as touring members Benji Shanks and Preston Holcomb.

Related: Wendy Rieger, Longtime NBC Anchor, Dies at 65 from Aggressive Brain Cancer: 'A Local Legend'

"If you had the privilege of knowing Brit on any level, you know he was the most caring, empathetic, driven and endearing person one could ever hope to meet," added the band.

"Brit was Blackberry Smoke’s True North, the compass that instituted the ideology that will continue to guide this band," said the group, which was formed in 2000 and gained widespread recognition with its third album, The Whippoorwill, in 2012.

The band then opened up about Turner's illness. "Brit has battled glioblastoma since his diagnosis in the fall of 2022 and fought every day. We ask for prayers for his family and band brothers," continued its members.

"More information on arrangements will be forthcoming. Thank you to everyone who has supported and been there for Brit and his family through this fight," concluded the post.

According to the Mayo Clinic, "Glioblastoma is a type of cancer that starts as a growth of cells in the brain or spinal cord." The condition spreads quickly and "forms from cells called astrocytes that support nerve cells."

Since rising to fame, Blackberry Smoke has performed alongside fellow musicians including Guns N' Roses, Zac Brown Band, ZZ Top, Eric Church and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Following news of Turner's death, Slash of Guns N' Roses shared a tribute to the drummer via Instagram. "We lost a f---ing great guy & musician today, #BritTurner," he wrote. "He will be sorely missed. My heart goes out to Brit's family, friends & band mates. RIP."

Related: Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan and More to Embark on Massive 2024 Outlaw Music Festival Tour This Summer

Multiple other musicians expressed condolences in the comments section of Blackberry Smoke's original Instagram post about the loss. "Love to his band brothers and to his family," wrote Randy Houser.

Butch Walker commented, "My longtime brother has moved on. I am heartbroken and have been crying all night but i know he’s finally at peace. Long live Brit Turner."

Blackberry Smoke released its latest album Be Right Here last month, and the band is currently performing shows on a world tour in support of the record.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.