Jakson Spires, Blackfoot's drummer, passes

Rick McDuffie · Post by **Rick McDuffie** » 15 Mar 2005 10:42 am

Received an email from Lenny Stadler this a.m. that Jakson Spires, the only drummer ever to play with Blackfoot, passed away from a heart attack Sunday night. He and Lenny had been in the studio all day on Saturday- just the day before.

Please pray for Jack's family and friends, especially his wife Sheri.

Rick

Jim Hankins · Post by **Jim Hankins** » 15 Mar 2005 11:26 am

WOW what a shock, as just yesterday I had checked out their official web site that they had re formed with Bobby Barth, and were planning to tour, etc. Im so sorry to hear this. He was a great drummer, also keeping southern rock alive with the southern rock allstars.

Rick McDuffie · Post by **Rick McDuffie** » 15 Mar 2005 12:05 pm

From the official Blackfoot website:

3/16/2005 8:49:33 PM

Today the world became a darker place.

At a little after 11:00 AM EST, our beloved friend and brother Jakson Spires passed away with his immediate family and closest friends by his side. The outpouring of prayers and love from his thousands of fans and friends has been a great comfort to us all.

Sleep Well My Brother

Blackfoot[This message was edited by Rick McDuffie on 16 March 2005 at 07:19 PM.]

Rick McDuffie · Post by **Rick McDuffie** » 16 Mar 2005 7:17 pm

Ya'll remember Lenny and all the guys in your prayers. Lenny is devastated, as he and Jak were back in the studio recording original music... they had finished bass and drums on a bunch of tracks, and were getting "in the short rows". I have a copy of the original Blackfoot demo from the early 70's, and Jakson and Lenny were a powerful force- in my opinion, one of the deadliest bass/drums duos in rock. Lenny walked away from the band about '73, just before they were about to sign a contract with Atlantic, because of a life-changing experience with Christ... and the record company gave that slot to Lynyrd Skynyrd. There were hard feelings over it, but Lenny's love for Jakson, Charlie and Rickey never wavered. In the past couple of years, they have all mended fences- and I've been a part of that, indirectly, as Lenny's buddy. Since we're both ex-rockers-turned-ministers, I've encouraged him to pick up where he left off and to get his music going again. Lenny's been on cloud nine because of his project with Jakson, and this is just devastating for all concerned.

As you guys probably know, Lenny's Dad was Leonard Stadler- who built Marlen steel guitars. In the early days of the band, Leonard rented the guys a "band house" (they all lived together) in Reidsville, next door to the music store. He also bought or financed a lot of equipment for Blackfoot in the early days. The whole Stadler clan had a serious investment in that band. Leonard passed away about 18 months ago.

Jakson was an incredible drummer, and was apparently a faithful friend and good all-round person. Our hearts go out to all his family and friends. [This message was edited by Rick McDuffie on 17 March 2005 at 05:17 PM.]

Jim Hankins · Post by **Jim Hankins** » 17 Mar 2005 1:49 pm

Thanks for the follow up Rick. It looks like Blackfoot were all ready gigging, after apparently much hassel in federal court, and ironing out all the legal rights with Rick Medlocke, who had been cool with the band going forward again with out him, and then this....

Chris Forbes · Post by **Chris Forbes** » 18 Mar 2005 4:18 am

Whew, rough week for Southern Rock, Danny Joe Brown just passed also.

Drew Howard · Post by **Drew Howard** » 27 Mar 2005 10:58 am

I remember Blackfoot living outside of Ann Arbor, MI in the 80's. Jackson was always hanging out. What a shame.

Drew

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