David "Frankie" Toler played with legendary bands and musicians during an extensive and stellar career as a world-class professional drummer.

David/Frankie and his older brother Dan rose to fame as members of the classic 1970s version of Dickey Betts & Great Southern. The drummer appears on the group’s 1978 album 'Atlanta’s Burning Down'.

David Toler joined the reformed Allman Brothers Band in 1980 after founding drummer Jai Johanny "Jaimoe" Johanson was fired from the band. David's brother Dan ascended to the group’s ranks several years before.

The Toler bros remained with The Allman Brothers Band through their second break in 1982 and appear on the 1981 album 'Brothers of the Road'.

After The Allman Brothers Band parted ways, David and Dan Toler continued to perform in Gregg Allman’s solo band. The brothers also continued to work with Allman in the studio and appear on his hit 1986 comeback album 'I’m No Angel'.

Though David Toler was not part of The Allman Brothers Band’s two official 1986 reunion shows, he did perform as part of an Allman Brothers Band family reunion tour that same year with his brother, Allman and Betts.

David Toler continued to perform for large crowds as a member of The Marshall Tucker Band from 1992-1994, when he was followed up by Garry Guzzardo. Toler also appears on the group’s 1993 release 'Walk Outside The Line' and recorded a pair of albums with his brother as The Toler Brothers Band.

More recently, he drummed with the supergroup the Renegades of Southern Rock as well as Dan Toler’s Toler/Townsend Band.

In a statement Dan Toler said of his younger brother:

"Frankie was absolutely the best drummer I have ever played with in my entire life. He was a part of my life for the past 60 years and to lose him now is just devastating. But I did have the opportunity to grow up with one of the best rock and roll drummers in the world and it was truly a gift from God. I was blessed to have known him."

David "Frankie" Toler's health worsened in recent weeks and he arrived at the hospice on Wednesday last week. His wife Marsha Toler remained by his side the entire time. Dan Toler and Chaz Trippy - percussionist for the Gregg Allman Band, who played next to and roomed with Frankie from 1982 to '89 - were also present when he passed.

The drummer is survived by his wife and their daughter, Aja Kayle.