Jon Brookes, the founding drummer of The Charlatans, has died, aged 44.
He passed away peacefully in hospital surrounded by his family this morning, following a long fight with brain cancer.
Brookes formed the band with Martin Blunt, Rob Collins and original singer and guitarist Baz Ketley in 1988, going on to record on all eleven of their studio albums, from their 1990 debut Some Friendly to 2010’s Who We Touch. Shortly after that album’s release, Brookes suffered a seizure on tour in Philadelphia. After undergoing several operations and treatments, Brookes returned to the stage with the band at the end of that year and was working on new material with them this summer.
The band said in a statement: "Jon was a brilliant drummer, an inspiration, a founding member of The Charlatans, part of our family and a friend to everyone in and around the band. Losing someone who was always so full of life is a tragedy that will be shared by so many. Our thoughts are with Debbie and all of Jon’s family."
Watch The Charlatans performing their debut single ‘Indian Rope’ in 1990 below:
