Fleetwood Mac keyboardist Brett Tuggle passes away at age 70
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Brett Tuggle, a keyboardist who was best known for his work with Fleetwood Mac and Rick Springfield, passed away at the age of 70.
Speaking to Rolling Stone, the news was confirmed by Tuggle's son, Matt, who attributed his father's death to complications related to cancer.
On Sunday evening, Springfield honoured his fellow rock star, who was also a founding member of the David Lee Roth Band, by sharing a series of photos of himself and Tuggle throughout the years.
"Our sweet Brett Tuggle made it home tonight," he wrote on Twitter. "May God bless his beautiful spirit."
Brett Tuggle, a former keyboardist for Fleetwood Mac and the David Lee Roth Band, has died at the age of 70. Credit: Scott Dudelson/Getty.
Brett Tuggle was born in Denver, Colorado, and began playing the piano and then the guitar at a young age. Before moving to Texas, he worked in small venues in Denver.
Tuggle's career, however, took off in 1981 when he began playing with John Kay & Steppenwolf — before meeting Springfield and joining his band in 1982. He also spent years touring with David Lee Roth and was a founding member of the band from 1986 to 1994. They collaborated on the writing of the hit song "Just Like Paradise," which was released in 1988.
Tuggle first came into Fleetwood Mac's orbit in 1992, when he landed a gig with Mick Fleetwood's side project the Zoo. From 1997 to 2017, he was a member of the band's reunion era.
He later worked on solo projects with Fleetwood Mac members Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham, causing friction within the band and reportedly leading to his departure.
"In the end, I think, Stevie thought I was more in Lindsey's camp," Tuggle previously told Rolling Stone of the situation. "But I tried to be Switzerland to all the principles in the Mac. I felt like that was my job."
"I care about them all," he added. "They're all a big part of my life."
Tuggle toured with Buckingham and Fleetwood Mac for the next 15 years before retiring in 2021 due to health issues.
In the video below, Brett Tuggle can be seen playing keyboard and guitar and singing in a Fleetwood Mac performance of 'Don't Stop' at Acer Arena, Sydney Olympic Park, during the first encore of their Unleashed Tour on December 8, 2009.
Credit: Sydney Live Music.
Brett Tuggle leaves behind two children, his son Matt and his daughter Michelle.
"He was loved by his family so much. His family was with him throughout the entire time of his illness," Matt said in an interview with Rolling Stone.
"He was a lovely father, and he gave me music in my life."
Speaking to Rolling Stone, the news was confirmed by Tuggle's son, Matt, who attributed his father's death to complications related to cancer.
On Sunday evening, Springfield honoured his fellow rock star, who was also a founding member of the David Lee Roth Band, by sharing a series of photos of himself and Tuggle throughout the years.
"Our sweet Brett Tuggle made it home tonight," he wrote on Twitter. "May God bless his beautiful spirit."
Brett Tuggle, a former keyboardist for Fleetwood Mac and the David Lee Roth Band, has died at the age of 70. Credit: Scott Dudelson/Getty.
Brett Tuggle was born in Denver, Colorado, and began playing the piano and then the guitar at a young age. Before moving to Texas, he worked in small venues in Denver.
Tuggle's career, however, took off in 1981 when he began playing with John Kay & Steppenwolf — before meeting Springfield and joining his band in 1982. He also spent years touring with David Lee Roth and was a founding member of the band from 1986 to 1994. They collaborated on the writing of the hit song "Just Like Paradise," which was released in 1988.
Tuggle first came into Fleetwood Mac's orbit in 1992, when he landed a gig with Mick Fleetwood's side project the Zoo. From 1997 to 2017, he was a member of the band's reunion era.
He later worked on solo projects with Fleetwood Mac members Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham, causing friction within the band and reportedly leading to his departure.
"In the end, I think, Stevie thought I was more in Lindsey's camp," Tuggle previously told Rolling Stone of the situation. "But I tried to be Switzerland to all the principles in the Mac. I felt like that was my job."
"I care about them all," he added. "They're all a big part of my life."
Tuggle toured with Buckingham and Fleetwood Mac for the next 15 years before retiring in 2021 due to health issues.
In the video below, Brett Tuggle can be seen playing keyboard and guitar and singing in a Fleetwood Mac performance of 'Don't Stop' at Acer Arena, Sydney Olympic Park, during the first encore of their Unleashed Tour on December 8, 2009.
Credit: Sydney Live Music.
Brett Tuggle leaves behind two children, his son Matt and his daughter Michelle.
"He was loved by his family so much. His family was with him throughout the entire time of his illness," Matt said in an interview with Rolling Stone.
"He was a lovely father, and he gave me music in my life."
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