Craig Atkinson


Byron Craig "Butch" Atkinson was an American musician best known as the drummer with garage-rock band Count Five. Along with the other members of the band, he received writing credit on "Psychotic Reaction". He also worked as a session man.
Atkinson was born in Springfield, Missouri. After the Count Five, he graduated from San Jose State University and then entered the United States Navy, where he became a Naval Aviator, flying P-3C Orion aircraft with Patrol Squadron 9 out of Naval Air Station Moffett Field in Mountain View, California. In 1977, Atkinson left the United States Navy and became a pilot for Delta Air Lines. Over the years, Atkinson reunited several times with the other members of the Count Five.
Atkinson died in 1998 from complications of surgery. He was survived by his wife and three children who all lived in Texas.