Beloved keyboardist Brett Tuggle, best known for being part of Fleetwood Mac, died aged 70 on Sunday.
The musician’s son, Matt Tuggle, confirmed the news to Rolling Stone and said his dad died from complications related to cancer.
“He was loved by his family so much,” Matt told the outlet. “His family was with him throughout the entire time of his illness. He was a lovely father. He gave me music in my life.”
Tuggle, who hailed from Denver, Colo., learned about his love of playing the piano at a young age.
He eventually moved to Texas to pursue a career in music. But it wasn’t until 1981 that his talent became common knowledge after he began sharing a stage with John Kay & Steppenwolf.
The following year, Tuggle met Rick Springfield and subsequently joined his band. He spent a few years performing gigs with the “Jessie’s Girl” hitmaker.
Tuggle later joined David Lee Roth and toured with him from 1986 to 1994 — making him one of The David Lee Roth Band’s founding members.
The pair co-wrote the 1987 hit, “Just Like Paradise.”
“He was a lovely father. He gave me music in my life.”
It wasn’t until 1997 that Tuggle’s glittering career led him to Fleetwood Mac. He joined the band during their reunion era for over two decades until 2018.
Tuggle was a loose acquaintance of Mick Fleetwood’s after landing a gig for the musician’s band, Mick Fleetwood(‘s) Zoo.
After performing with the band for 21 years, Tuggle got an abrupt call saying he was out of the band.
He previously opened up about being dismissed from the band, saying it was because lead singer Stevie Nicks thought he was too close to fired guitarist Lindsey Buckingham.
Our sweet Brett Tuggle made it home tonight. God bless his beautiful spirit. @BrettTuggle1 pic.twitter.com/JHID345cO0
— Rick Springfield (@rickspringfield) June 20, 2022
Tuggle also joined both of them during their solo gigs but said it ultimately came down to making a decision.
“It came to a point where Stevie said, ‘You’re going to have to decide,’” Tuggle told Rolling Stone in 2020. “I said, ‘You know, Stevie, I love playing with you. I support you. But Lindsey doesn’t have a band.’ She said, ‘I know he needs good people.’”
“She seemed to be OK with it when I went off to do Lindsey’s thing. But think in the end, she looked at me a little as abandoning her and going over to Lindsey’s camp,” he added.
After news of Tuggle’s death came to light, tributes poured in for the beloved musician.
On Twitter, Springfield wrote, “Our sweet Brett Tuggle made it home tonight. God bless his beautiful spirit.”
David Lee Roth guitarist Billy Sheehan also paid tribute on Twitter, writing, “Brett Tuggle—truly the ‘secret weapon’ of the Eat ‘Em & Smile band and tour.
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. pic.twitter.com/mhzC90sD79
— Billy Sheehan (@BillyonBass) June 20, 2022
“Loved by everyone that ever met him, and gifted with supreme talent—-Rest in Peace. We will never forget you.”
Tuggle is survived by his son Matt and daughter Michelle.
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