Butch Trucks, an original member of The Allman Brothers Band whose steady backbeat propelled the band’s jamming, is dead at age 69.

His cause of death hasn’t been revealed, but his family has issued a statement that says, “Butch Trucks, a founding member of The Allman Brothers Band, tragically died the night of January 24th in West Palm Beach, Florida. His wife, four children, four grandchildren and all of the Allman Brothers Band, their families and road crew survive Butch. The Trucks and Allman Brothers Band families request all of Butch’s friends and fans to please respect our privacy at this time of sadness for our loss. Butch will play on in our hearts forever. Donations and remembrances in Butch’s name may be made to The Big House Museum in Macon, Georgia.”

Trucks was born in Jacksonville, Florida on May 11th, 1947. He started playing in local Jacksonville bands in the early 1960s and eventually found himself in The 31st of February in 1968. That group also included Duane Allman and Gregg Allman. When they split, Duane Allman formed a new group with the idea of two lead guitar players and two drummers. After finding Dickey Betts, Berry Oakley and drummer Jai Johanny Johanson — best known as Jaimoe — Allman got Trucks to join in 1969, and the two drummers developed a style that would go on to influence many jam bands and Southern rock acts. Trucks laid down the normal beat, while Johanson added other percussion flourishes that merged into one massive drum sound.