Aaron Spears, the famend touring drummer who performed alongside Usher, Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Girl Gaga and Miley Cyrus, amongst others, has died at age 47, his household introduced on Monday.
Spears’ spouse, Jessica Spears, confirmed the information of her husband’s demise in an Instagram publish shared on the drummer’s web page. The publish didn’t embody a time, date or place of demise for Spears or a explanation for demise.
“It’s with a heavy coronary heart and overwhelming disappointment that I share the information of the passing of my beloved husband, Aaron Spears,” she wrote. “Aaron was not solely an extremely achieved drummer, admired by many for his unparalleled expertise and keenness for music; however he was additionally a faithful father to our valuable son, August. His love, steering, and heat had been the pillars of our household, and his absence leaves a void that phrases can not describe.”
The message continued: “We had been blessed to have him in our lives, and his legacy will reside on by way of the gorgeous rhythms he created and the love he shared with us. We recognize all of the ideas and prayers throughout this tough time. Please bear in mind Aaron for the unimaginable particular person he was and the wonderful music he introduced into our world. Presently we ask for privateness as we work our method by way of this.”
Spears earned a Grammy nomination for his manufacturing work on Usher’s extremely profitable “Confessions” album, which was nominated for album of the 12 months on the forty seventh Grammy Awards.
He gained extra acclaim within the drumming world after his now-legendary efficiency of Usher’s “Caught Up” on the 2006 Fashionable Drummer Pageant.
“I’ve to be sincere, man, I had completely no concept that enjoying that track on that individual stage, at the moment, was going to trigger such a ripple impact that just about 20 years later folks had been gonna be asking me to play that track,” Spears stated in a 2022 interview with Drumeo of his 2006 efficiency. “Simply the truth that some form of emotion has come from one thing that I did, I’m extraordinarily grateful, I’m very appreciative.”
Lots of the artists that Spears performed with and a number of other of his fellow drummers paid tribute to the drumming icon on-line.
In a now-expired Instagram Story, Grande wrote: “I can’t wrap my head round this. We had been all so extremely fortunate to know Aaron. Absolutely the brightest mild of a human being. All the time the kindest, at all times smiling. I’m so honored and grateful that our paths crossed and to have spent a lot very particular time collectively. Thanks in your utter brilliance, for our laughs, and in your kindness at all times. I’ll miss your hugs. You might be so, so liked and will probably be so very missed.”
“We misplaced a fantastic man and inspiration to all of us drummers,” Bieber shared in an Instagram Story. “@aspears prayers for your loved ones and family members you may be remembered and celebrated.”
The Roots’ drummer Questlove posted a video of Spears drumming on Instagram with the caption, “The world misplaced a legend at present. Husband, father, producers music director, chief drumgod & only a Cotdamn BEAST in Aaron Spears.” Questlove additionally highlighted simply how prolific Spears’ profession was, writing, “You’ve seen Aaron drum prolly 5-10 occasions in your life for those who attend concert events & generally with out understanding. That’s how a lot in demand his companies had been (@arianagrande @britneyspears @ladygaga @mileycyrus @backstreetboys @therealmarymary @adamlambert @chakakhan @jordinsparks @usher ……man the listing is countless.”
Spears was born on Oct. 26, 1976, and grew up in Washington, D.C., in line with a profile offered by his drum sponsor Remo. His ardour for drumming first developed whereas attending Pentecostal church companies along with his mother and father, at first being awed by the in-house drummer after which changing into part of the church band.
At age 23, Spears broke by way of within the native D.C. music scene enjoying with the jazz-fusion group Gideon Band. On Monday, the band launched an announcement relating to Spears’ demise.
“We had the distinction of witnessing the expertise of Aaron Spears up shut for over 25 years. We additionally had been blessed to name Aaron ‘brother.’ Aaron Spears was one in all one,” the assertion learn. “All through the entire rehearsals, performances, and sheds, Aaron had the uncanny skill of by no means repeating a chop. He would play one thing mind-blowing, and the following time we performed, he would play one thing equally mind-blowing and distinctive. It was a divine skill that mirrored God’s creativity.”
Lately, Spears held drum clinics and workshops all through the world the place he seemed to harbor a studying and sharing surroundings for musicians of all ages and experiences.
“The success that I’ve had just isn’t essentially due to me, it’s actually the connection that I’ve had with different musicians has helped to make me higher,” he stated in a video revealed earlier this 12 months with Ludwig Drums. “I’ve been in a position to do a whole lot of issues in my profession, the following step is absolutely about having the ability to give again.”
Spears is survived by his spouse, Jessica, and his son, August.
