Don Heffington, a versatile drummer who played on recordings for Bob Dylan and Emmylou Harris and was a member of Lone Justice during the 1980s, died Tuesday. He was 70.
Heffington reportedly had been hospitalized with leukemia, Variety reported.
Heffington was the second drummer for Lone Justice and was on the group’s debut for the Geffen label, the website reported.
“Don was the kind of sideman who could pick and choose what gigs to take. He glided into the soundstage parking lot in a Toyota minivan...made it seem cool.” Beyond sad to hear Don Heffington passed away today - a stellar musician and unforgettable character. pic.twitter.com/CjM0FV4f1S
— Amy Rigby (@AmyRigby) March 24, 2021
He also appeared in Harris’ Hot Band and appeared on several albums, including “Blue Kentucky Girl” in 1979 and “White Shoes” in 1983.
Heffington also appeared with Dylan on “Empire Burlesque” and “Knocked Out Loaded,” Sam Phillips’ “Martinis & Bikinis” and “Omnipop,” the Wallflowers’ “Bringing Down the Horse,” Adam Sandler’s “What’s Your Name” and “Stan and Judy’s Kid,” and Dwight Yoakam’s “Population Me,” Variety reported.
Many of his collaborators from the last five decades paid tribute Wednesday afternoon in conversations with Variety.
“Like Ringo, he didn’t play drums, he played songs,” former Lone Justice member Marvin Etzioni told Variety. “Any songwriter who played with Don knows that.”
😞Legendary musician Don Heffington has passed. Forever grateful to Johnny Lee Schell who hired Don to play🥁on “Dream Big” & “When I Found You.” He also up played on “Tight” & “Walking On A Slant.” Total pro, super nice, loved by so many.
— Nakia (@Nakia) March 25, 2021
Here he is playing on Slant. RIP Don ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ZmEet6SIOg
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