Molly Hatchet Drummer Bruce Crump Has Died

Bruce Crump, the original drummer for 1970s Southern rock band Molly Hatchet, died on March 16 at the age of 57.

According to Loudwire, there is no more information on the cause of his death at this point. Molly Hatchet announced his death on their Facebook page with the following message: “We are mourning the loss of a great friend and talented musician!! The Lord called home our brother and bandmate, Bruce Crump. This is a great loss to the Molly Hatchet family. Our prayers go out to all the family and friends of great friend Bruce!! Rest in peace Bruce!! We will always love and remember you!!”

Crump was the band’s drummer from 1976 until 1983, after which time he played in several other bands, including Streetheart. He returned to play for Molly Hatchet in 1984 and left again in 1991. During his first run with the band, he was a part of their best-known album, Flirtin’ With Disaster. Crump also taught drum lessons throughout his career, and was a part of two bands at the time of his death: China Sky and White Rhino.

On China Sky’s Facebook page, they wrote a post that said, “This sudden tragedy is like a kick to the gut. We could not have lost a more truly decent human being than Bruce. Our hearts go out to his wife Kristen, his mom, children, and family. Not only was Bruce a genuinely nice person, but his talent was even bigger than his heart.”

Molly Hatchet is still an active group, led by original guitarist Dave Hlubek. Other former members of the group who have died include vocalist Danny Joe Brown in 2005 and guitarist Duane Roland in 2006.