Longtime Willie Nelson Drummer Paul English has died at the age of 87. Nelson’s publicist confirmed the report to Rolling Stone Country.
English performed as a part of Nelson’s band beginning in 1966.
“If I hadn’t gone with Willie, I would be in the penitentiary or dead,” English told Rolling Stone in 2014. “I was running girls and playing music at the same time.”
In addition to playing drums with Nelson, English provided inspiration for more than one song, including “Devil in a sleeping bag” and “Me & Paul.”
Willie Nelson has not yet commented on English’s death.