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Bill Maddox, Former Drummer for Guitarist Eric Johnson, Shot Dead in Robbery

Steve Wheeler

Bill Maddox, one-time drummer for guitar virtuoso Eric Johnson, was killed in his Texas home during a botched burglary attempt Monday morning. Maddox, 54, was shot dead in his Travis County house during a struggle with an intruder, according to a report in the Austin American Statesman.

Maddox, a native of Abilene, got his start in the acclaimed Austin jazz-rock band Electromagnets in 1973. When Johnson joined the group the following year, a long-lasting musical friendship began. Maddox went on to play with the Eric Johnson Group, Alien Love Child and Omar and the Howlers.

According to authorities, a neighbor named John Joseph Debrecht, 63, was also shot during the struggle but it is unclear if he was the intruder. Debrecht was in critical condition at nearby University Medical Center Brackenridge on Monday.

Maddox and Debrecht only lived a few homes away from each other in the Scenic Brook community off US 290. Maddox's wife, Rhonda, was home at the time of the shooting but wasn't injured.

"He was an incredible person," Joe Priesnitz, Johnson's manager, said of Maddox. "He was so dedicated. He practiced all the time."

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TG

I was just listening to "High Landrons" off of Eric Johnson's Ah Via Musicom and wondered who the fantastic drummer was. Much to my amazement and sadness I came across this article.
RIP

February 02 2011 at 5:20 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Rita A. Banda

Bill and I go way back at Dell. He never bragged about how famous he was. He was so down to earth! He was an engineer and I tell you what guy's he was very intelligent! His spirit lives on because he was the kindness gentleman! He always lit the room with the biggest smile. I will miss him. What a musician he was! To Rhonda I know that he loved you so much. You were lucky to have had him as a great husband!
My sympathy for your lost. Great Man that walked the streets of "Austin Texas" Now go sit on that cloud Bill and play those drums. I love you forever my Dear Friend! Rita A. Banda

December 29 2010 at 10:58 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Rita A. Banda's comment
Thomas

Rita, I was introduced to the Electromagnets back in the early 80's so I was a fan of his music career. I was fortunate enough to see him play drums live many times, and admired his amazing musicianship.

So, I also work @ Dell for the last 5 years and had no idea that he had worked for the company until my buddy told me yesterday. Even more amazing. Thank you for sharing.

Thomas Kevin Vincent

December 30 2010 at 12:15 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Thomas

My deepest sympathy to Rhonda Maddox and all of Bills family and friends. Thank you for sharing you music and life with us. God bless you.

December 29 2010 at 2:09 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Tom Grisham

I am just crushed over this. Bill and I played in separate garage bands in Abilene. He was a real musician
we were a bunch of hacks with a pretty good comedy band. He had a great sense of humor and loved what we did.

Always with a smile on his face and a great way with people, he had amazing good luck.

When I was in film school at TCU in the early 70's, he came to visit me in Fort Worth. He wanted to hit pawn shops for guitars. I look him over to Arlington. The town had tons of pawn shops in those days.

These were the days when pawn shops didn't know the value of a vintage Fender Strat.

Bill made a deal for a '62 or '63 Statocaster for something like $125. He was extatic. It had no case, so he drove back that afternoon.

I called back in two hours to see if he had made it okay. He was already there. He must have gone 120 mph to buy the damn thing a case. That guitar was in really good shape. Lord only knows what that instrument is worth today. I should have offered a whopping $200 as soon as we got in the car.

I've never lost anyone to murder. This is completely different from any life experience that I have ever had. My thoughts and prayers are with Rhonda and everyone who ever had the honor of this man touching their lives. For each of us, our perception of the world is alterered for all time.

Tom Grisham
Abilene, Texas

December 28 2010 at 7:24 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply