Tommy Caldwell (musician)
Thomas Michael "Tommy" Caldwell was the bassist and original frontman for The Marshall Tucker Band between 1973 and 1980.
Caldwell composed several of their songs and played bass, percussion, guitar, as well as contributing backup vocals, though he sang lead on "Melody Ann" the only song on which he performed lead vocals. His last performance with the band was on April 18, 1980, ten days before his fatal accident. The performance is captured on the 2006 release, Live on Long Island.
A native of Spartanburg, South Carolina, he died from injuries suffered when his Land Cruiser clipped a parked 1965 Ford Galaxie on April 28, 1980, at the age of 30. He was the younger brother of bandmate and band co-founder, Toy Caldwell. Another brother, Tim Caldwell, also died in a traffic accident one month before Tommy, on March 28, 1980, at age 25.
The Charlie Daniels Band's 1980 album Full Moon is dedicated to Caldwell.
