Paul English, drummer for Willie Nelson for more than 50 years, has died, according to Nelson’s publicist Elaine Schock. English passed at a hospital near his home in Dallas after contracting pneumonia.
English first showcased his drumming skills with Willie Nelson at a radio show in Fort Worth in 1955 and joined the band fulltime in 1966. He is best known to fans as the co-title named in “Me and Paul” which narrated English and Nelson’s lifetime adventures together.
Amy Nelson, Willie’s daughter said of English, “He always had our backs. He was like the co-patriarch of our family. Nobody can fill Paul’s shoes, ever.”
Nelson performed Tuesday night in Savannah, Georgia, and will appear as scheduled Wednesday night in Melbourne, Florida, according to Schock.
