The music world is in mourning today following the news that the drummer of indie band The Charlatans, Jon Brookes, has passed away aged 44.

Brookes had been battling a brain tumour since 2010 after collapsing on stage in Philadelphia, suffering from a seizure. Despite his illness he was back on stage within a month of the seizure and continued to play with the band, going through radiotherapy and chemotherapy whilst doing so. He suffered a relapse in September of last year and had been operated on as recently as July. A spokesperson for the band confirmed he passed away peacefully in his hospital bed with his family by his side.

The Charlatans had been working on a new album at the time of Brookes’ passing. A statement from the band said “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 many. Our thoughts are with Debbie and all of Jon’s family”.