The Wurzels, the West Country band behind the 1976 UK number one hit Combine Harvester, continue to be remembered for their iconic track half a century later. The band also reached number three with I Am a Cider Drinker and penned a football anthem for Bristol City.
Founder's Tragic Death
Founding member Adge Cutler died in May 1974, before the band achieved its biggest success. He fell asleep behind the wheel of his MGB sports car approaching the Severn Bridge and was killed at age 42 after the car overturned on a roundabout as he drove home from a gig.
Co-star Tommy Banner told the BBC: "We were very shocked and empty at the news of his death. At first, audiences told us it felt as if they were waiting for Adge to come on stage, so we changed our stage appearance for a while, then went back to what we still wear today." Cutler was buried in Nailsea, and a statue was erected outside the Royal Oak, where his first song was recorded.
Later Losses and Illness
The Wurzels lost their longest-serving member in 2021 when drummer John Morgan died at age 80 from Covid-19. He contracted the virus while touring and was taken to hospital. Tommy commented: "I can't believe that I'll look around and he won't be there. It's only beginning to sink in now. I can't believe that when I now turn around, because me and him used to have a little nod during the songs… I'll look around and he won't be there. He had loads of friends. He lived alone, but he was never alone because there was also somebody looking in to see him."
In 2012, musician Reg Quantrill died at age 77. His partner Margaret said: "Reg had a major stroke in 2009 and unfortunately has been poorly ever since. He was taken to Southmead Hospital with pneumonia several weeks ago and he never fully recovered." David Wintour, part of the band from 1995 to 2002, died from cancer in 2022, also aged 77.
Pete Budd's Personal Struggles
Pete Budd has been open about his later life struggles, especially after losing his wife of 61 years, Pauline, who had dementia before her death in 2022. He also lost his youngest daughter, Yona, who passed away in her sleep at age 40 following a battle with diabetes in 2025.
He told The Mirror in 2026: "I now live in the Chew Valley with our elder daughter, Julie, who looks after young people who are ill. I've got seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. They all like Wurzel music, but none of them are musicians."
On-Stage Illness
In 2025, the band ended their performance at Party at the Palace in Somerset suddenly when both Pete and Tommy needed medical attention due to extreme temperatures. Tommy said afterwards: "Following an extremely hot show last weekend, but both Pete and I appear to have fully recovered from sun and heat exhaustion. Up on stage there was no air moving and we were facing straight into the direct, unobstructed rays of a very strong sun. Personally, I have to say a big thank you to the security lads who looked after me so well after they took me into a cool room behind the stage, and then to the nurse, I think called Laura, all of them getting my temperature back down to normal before being allowed to go home in our bus."
