The Charlatans drummer and founding member, Jon Brookes has died this morning at the age of 44 after a battle with brain cancer.
Brookes was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2010 after collapsing onstage during a concert in Philadelphia. He had continued working on new material with the band despite undergoing several surgeries, including one in July. Though the band said the most recent operation had gone well, Brookes had remained in the hospital for further treatment. He is survived by his wife and three daughters.
The Charlatans formed in 1989 in the West Midlands region of England. Brookes was a founding member of the band, whose 2010 LP Who We Touch is the most recent of their 11 studio albums. The group has had 22 Top 40 hits in Britain, including "The Only One I Know" and "One to Another."
Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess tweeted that the band was "torn apart" at the news: "Jon Brookes, my friend, our drummer and inspiration to so many, passed away this morning. We are torn apart. Love & thoughts to Jon's family."
He also thanked "everyone for their messages and memories of Jon. So much love on such a sad day".
A further statement from the band read: "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."
RIP Jon Brookes.
