Jam Band Patriarch Dies Onstage In Front of School of Rock's Brandon Niederauer

Crazy story... I don't follow the jam band scene, but a friend does. But it was the reference to Brandon Niederauer from School of Rock being involved that piqued my attention.

A Facebook post from someone at the 70th Birthday Concert honoring Col. Bruce Hampton described the crazy scene:

"Bruce collapsed on stage as 14-year-old guitar prodigy Brandon Niederauer shredded a solo during 'Lovelight.' Hampton walked over to where Niederauer was standing and appeared to bow down in front of him to give him props, then he just folded forward and collapsed, his arm draped over a monitor. Since Hampton was given to all kinds of stage antics, we all thought he was gonna get up and give a cheer for Niederauer. The 14-year-old contiued his solo for a minute or two and the band continued to rock as Hampton lay there, motionless, everyone thinking this was part of his schtick. After he finished his solo, Niederauer looked down at Hampton and you could tell he didn't know what was going on. The band continued to boogie on for what seemed like an eternity (a minute or two) until someone came from side stage to check on Bruce."

And they found him dead.

NY Times article:
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/02/arts/music/bruce-hampton-70-jam-scene-patriarch-dies-after-collapsing-on-stage.html

Facebook Post where I read about Brandon:
https://www.facebook.com/steve.hurlburt.5/posts/10154376949006283?hc_location=ufi

A poster Brandon thanked someone for posting on Twitter about it:
https://twitter.com/JarrettBellini/status/859395982248816640

Crazy stuff...

The two artistic things in my life that I follow extremely closely, and have a major love for, are the world of theatre and the jam band scene. It's sad to know that Bruce Hampton, who many would say in the jam band world, made music that got the ball rolling, starting the jam band scene, is no longer with us. He was a major influence for many bands in that world. Notably the two big name ones, Phish and The Grateful Dead.



It must have been scary for Brandon to see that happen right in front of him. But, I have to give credit to Brandon's talent. Turn on Your Love Light, the song that Brandon was playing when this happened, has a major guitar part that is extremely far from easy. I find it amazing that he's able to do that. I hope that he is able to continue to make great music in light of what t

"At Last Singer Etta James Dies."