Tommy Caldwell (musician)
Thomas Michael "Tommy" Caldwell (November 9, 1949 – April 28, 1980) was the bassist and original frontman for The Marshall Tucker Band between 1973 and 1980.
Tommy Caldwell | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Thomas Michael Caldwell |
| Also known as | Tommy Caldwell |
| Born | November 9, 1949 Spartanburg, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | April 28, 1980 (aged 30) Moore, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Genres | Southern rock |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
| Instruments | Bass, vocals, drums |
| Years active | 1973–1980 |
| Associated acts | The Marshall Tucker Band |
Caldwell composed several of their songs and played bass, percussion, guitar, as well as contributing backup vocals, though he sang lead on "Melody Ann" the only song on which he performed lead vocals. His last performance with the band was on April 18, 1980, ten days before his fatal accident. The performance is captured on the 2006 release, Live on Long Island. Caldwell was known for playing a white 1970s Fender Precision Bass with a Dimarzio Split Coil Pickup. A mix of finger style and picked bass as well as his use of tube amplifiers contributed to Caldwell's signature sound.
A native of Spartanburg, South Carolina, he died from injuries suffered when his Land Cruiser clipped a parked 1965 Ford Galaxie on April 28, 1980, at the age of 30.[1] He was the younger brother of bandmate and band co-founder, Toy Caldwell. Another brother, Tim Caldwell, also died in a traffic accident one month before Tommy, on March 28, 1980, at age 25.[2][3][4]
The Charlie Daniels Band's 1980 album Full Moon is dedicated to Caldwell.
External links
References
- The Death of Marshall Tucker Band's Tommy Caldwell
- Abbie Caldwell Interview, tuckerhead.com, 1998 (retrieved 23 January 2015).
- The Gamecock, 30 April 1980, Page 11, Image 19 (retrieved 23 January 2015).
- Tim Caldwell gravestone photo, slobotabouttown.com (retrieved 23 January 2015).
