Stuart Swanlund, longtime member of the Marshall Tucker Band, died Saturday, Aug. 4 of natural causes at age 54. The slide guitar specialist joined the band in 1985, touring and recording with them until unspecified health problems forced him off the road recently.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Stuart’s family and those who knew him.  We have lost a great friend,” said founding Marshall Tucker Band member Doug Gray. Swanlund is survived by his lifelong partner Stacey Schmaren, his son William, three grandchildren and his sister Suzanne.

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