😭“Tragedy in the Skies: Entire Blues Band Perishes in Devastating Plane Crash”

😭“Tragedy in the Skies: Entire Blues Band Perishes in Devastating Plane Crash”

Tragedy in the Skies: Entire Blues Band Perishes in Devastating Plane Crash

By Staff Reporter

April 15, 2025

Memphis, TN — A somber cloud hangs over the music world today following the tragic news that all members of the rising blues band The Midnight Howlers have died in a plane crash en route to a scheduled performance in New Orleans.

The private aircraft, a twin-engine Beechcraft King Air 350, went down late Sunday evening in the thickly wooded area of rural Mississippi. Authorities confirmed early Monday morning that there were no survivors among the eight passengers aboard — five band members, the band’s tour manager, and two crew members.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) investigators arrived at the crash site shortly after sunrise and are currently examining the wreckage. A preliminary report cited severe weather conditions and possible mechanical failure, though an official cause has not yet been determined.

A Rising Force in Modern Blues

Formed in 2018 in Memphis, The Midnight Howlers were widely hailed as torchbearers for modern blues, blending traditional Delta roots with a gritty, soulful rock edge. The band had recently concluded a successful European tour and was midway through their “River to River” U.S. tour when tragedy struck.

The group consisted of frontman and guitarist Elijah “E.J.” Walker, harmonica player and vocalist Samuel “Slim” Thomas, bassist Rachel Cortez, drummer Marcus Hines, and keyboardist Leon Barrett. All were in their late 20s to early 40s and had earned a loyal following for their electrifying live performances and raw lyrical honesty.

“This is a devastating loss, not just for blues fans, but for music lovers everywhere,” said Anita Freeman, director of the Memphis Blues Foundation. “They were more than musicians — they were storytellers who honored the legacy of the blues while giving it new life.”

Final Show and Tributes

The band’s last performance was held just two nights ago at The Blue Room in Atlanta, Georgia. Witnesses described the show as “electric” and “hauntingly soulful,” with Walker closing the set by telling fans, “No matter what road you’re on, keep the blues with you.”

Tributes from the global music community have poured in. Blues legend Buddy Guy issued a heartfelt statement, calling the band’s death “a tragedy that will echo through every bar, juke joint, and festival stage.” Fellow artists, including Gary Clark Jr., Susan Tedeschi, and Dan Auerbach, have taken to social media to express shock and condolences.

Investigations Underway

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched a full investigation and is working with local authorities and the FAA. According to flight records, the plane had departed from DeKalb-Peachtree Airport in Atlanta and was scheduled to land at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.

Weather radar indicated turbulent conditions and low visibility at the time of the crash. Eyewitnesses in the vicinity reported hearing a loud engine sputter followed by a fiery explosion in the distance.

A Lasting Legacy

While The Midnight Howlers’ journey has been cut tragically short, their music is expected to live on. Their critically acclaimed album “Gravel & Gold,” released in late 2023, recently went platinum and is now expected to re-enter the charts as fans mourn their loss and revisit their haunting catalog.

“Music has lost something irreplaceable,” said famed blues historian Dr. Calvin Price. “They captured something real — that ache, that soul — and now the silence is deafening.”

A candlelight vigil is being planned in Memphis, with more details expected in the coming days. The band’s families have requested privacy as they process this unimaginable loss.