Widespread Panic is an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in the mid-1980s by University of Georgia students John Bell (guitar/vocals), Michael Houser (guitar), and Dave Schools (bass). The lineup expanded with drummer Todd Nance, percussionist Domingo 'Sunny' Ortiz, and keyboardist John 'JoJo' Hermann. Houser died of pancreatic cancer in 2002 and was replaced by guitarist Jimmy Herring; Nance left in 2016 and died in 2020, with Duane Trucks taking over drums. The band blends rock, southern rock, blues, funk, and extended jams. They released their debut album Space Wrangler in 1988, followed by the major-label Widespread Panic in 1991 on Capricorn Records. Over three decades, they have issued 12 studio albums and 43 live albums, selling more than 3 million copies, and were inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 2008. Widespread Panic is known for extensive touring and improvisational live performances that draw a dedicated fanbase.