Jon Brookes, a founding member of the acclaimed British indie rock band The Charlatans, died in a hospital on Tuesday, according to the band. He was just 44 years old. Brookes was diagnosed with a brain tumor after he collapsing onstage during a concert in Philadelphia in 2010. The band issued the following statement on their website on Tuesday: "It is with great sadness that we have to announce that Jon Brookes, the drummer with The Charlatans, died this morning aged 44.
"Following a seizure on tour in Philadelphia in 2010, Jon had been receiving treatment for a brain tumour and had undergone several operations, although he had been working on new material with the band over the summer. He passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning with his family at his bedside.
"Jon was a founding member of The Charlatans, who formed in the West Midlands in 1989. He was much loved by those who knew him and regarded as one of the finest drummers of his generation and will be dearly missed by all who knew him."
The statement included this tribute from his bandmates, "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."
