Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Brett Tuggle death: Fleetwood Mac musician dies aged 70

Musician is being remembered as ‘loved by everyone that ever met him’

Ellie Harrison
Tuesday 21 June 2022 09:59 BST
Comments
Brett Tuggle dead aged 70

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Fleetwood Mac’s former keyboardist Brett Tuggle has died from cancer at the age of 70.

The musician died on 19 June, his family confirmed.

Tuggle’s son Matt told Rolling Stone: “He was loved by his family so much. His family was with him throughout the entire time of his illness.

“He was a lovely father. He gave me music in my life.”

Lindsey Buckingham
Lindsey Buckingham (Getty Images)

Tuggle played with Fleetwood Mac for two decades during their reunion era, touring with them from 1997 to 2017. He had first become associated with the group in 1992 when he worked with Mick Fleetwood’s side project the Zoo.

Last year, Fleetwood Mac’s singer and guitarist Lindsey Buckingham introduced Tuggle to the crowd at a Washington DC show, saying: “This guy is a master.

“He is a superb keyboardist, bassist, guitarist, singer. And he also brings so much clarity and integrity. There’s no way in the world we could do this [show] without him.

“We’ve never been able to do it without him, nor could we in the future. We love him to death.”

Tuggle was also a founding member of the David Lee Roth Band in the 1980s, and he co-wrote Roth’s 1988 hit song “Just Like Paradise”.

(Billy Sheehan Twitter)

Across his career, he played with Rick Springfield, Jimmy Page, David Coverdale, John Kay & Steppenwolf, Styx’s Tommy Shaw, Mitch Ryder, and the Detroit Wheels.

Bassist Billy Sheehan paid tribute to Tuggle on Twitter, writing: “Brett Tuggle – truly the ‘secret weapon’ of the Eat ‘Em & Smile band and tour. Loved by everyone that ever met him, and gifted with supreme talent – Rest in Peace. We will never forget you.”

Springfield posted: “Our sweet Brett Tuggle made it home tonight. God bless his beautiful spirit.”

Coverdale added: “Sad news…Just heard…A delightful man who worked with Coverdale Page then Restless Heart…My love & respect to his family, friends & fans…A Sad day, indeed…”

Tuggle is survived by his son Matt and daughter Michelle.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in