He had
suffered a seizure on tour with the band in 2010 and had been receiving
treatment for a brain tumour. Brookes had undergone several operations, but had
still been working on new material with the band over the summer. He died in
hospital on Tuesday morning with his family at his bedside.
Charlatans
frontman Tim Burgess tweeted that the band was "torn apart" at the
news and sent love to Brookes's family. "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 said.
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."
Brookes
was diagnosed with a brain tumour after collapsing during a Charlatans gig in
Philadelphia, in the United States in 2010. He briefly stopped breathing and
was helped by a doctor attending the show, before being taken to hospital for
emergency treatment. The rest of their US tour was cancelled as Brookes was
flown to the UK for treatment.
Speaking
afterwards he described how he "saw lights" in the corner of his eyes
before collapsing at the concert and said he was at the "start of the long
road of treatment for cancer" but was "feeling fit and
positive". In July this year the band revealed that he had undergone
further surgery for the brain tumour. They said he had recovered well from the
operation but would remain in hospital for additional treatment.
Brookes,
of Burntwood, Staffordshire, was a founding member of the band that formed in
the West Midlands in 1989. The band have had 22 UK top 40 hits, including 'The
Only One I Know', 'Can't Get Out Of Bed' and 'One To Another'.
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