Dan Toler Dies, Allman Brothers Band Guitarist Remembered

Allman Brothers Band guitarist Dan Toler has died of Lou Gehrig’s disease, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Dan Toler died Monday at his home in Sarasota, Florida after announcing in recent years that he was suffering from the disease, and manager Glen Halverson confirmed his illness and death.

Toler, who was in his early 60s, played in several bands with his brother David “Frankie” Toler, who predeceased him. (The younger Toler passed on in June of 2011 at the age of 59, following a prolonged illness after a liver transplant.)

Back when Dan Toler’s brother died, the guitarist issued an impassioned statement of grief, saying:

“Frankie was absolutely the best drummer I have ever played with in my entire life … He was a part of my life for the past 60 years and to lose him now is just devastating. But I did have the opportunity to grow up with one of the best rock ‘n’ roll drummers in the world and it was truly a gift from God. I was blessed to have known him.”

Bandmates of the pair reflect as Dan Toler’s death hit the music press, and Chaz Trippy remembered his friend, saying:

“His ability to make people laugh and feel good and happy was amazing … That smile of his is just a force of life and, God, how he loved playing that guitar.”

The local Bradenton Herald spoke Dan Toler after his diagnosis, and the guitarist said at the time two years ago:

“I do not know how long I have and actually none of us do, but I would say my chances are slim … Right now I still have good use of my arms and hands and hopefully will have for a few years, if I’m lucky.”

Reuters reports that funeral arrangements for Dan Toler are pending.