Baroness cofounder Allen Blickle dies at 42, band confirms

Allen Blickle, the drummer who helped found the band Baroness, has died at age 42, the band confirmed, saying he passed away a few days earlier. Initial reports of his death circulated over the weekend through tributes on social media, and Baroness frontman John Baizley later issued a statement asking for privacy as Blickle's family and the band grieve.

Baizley said in the statement, "It breaks my heart to have to share the news that my dear friend, creative partner and former bandmate Allen Blickle passed away a few days ago. I am still in shock that he is gone. We ask for understanding as his family and this band process his passing and grieve his loss." The precise cause and location of Blickle's death have not been made public. A fellow musician, Laura Pleasants of Kylesa, posted an Instagram tribute on Sunday, September 7, suggesting he had been battling a serious health issue. Pleasants wrote, "We all thought you had this thing beat" and added that she was "glad you are at peace and no longer in pain."

Blickle co-founded Baroness in Savannah, Georgia, in the early 2000s and was a member of the original lineup that recorded the band's early EPs and first three full-length...