Jet Black, the original drummer for 1970s punks The Stranglers, has died aged 84, the band confirmed.
The musician, who was born Brian Duffy, was a founding member of the Guildford group, playing on hits Golden Brown, Peaches and No More Heroes.
He last performed with them in 2015, announcing his retirement a few years later due to ill health.
In a statement online, his ex-bandmates described him as an "elder statesman" of British music.
Bassist and co-frontman JJ Burnel said: "After years of ill health, Jet has finally been released. He was a force of nature. An inspiration.
"The Stranglers would not have been if it wasn't for him. The most erudite of men. A rebel with many causes."
Sil Willcox, the band's manager, added: "Jet Black was the real deal. Astute in business, a talented drummer and an obsessive perfectionist.
"I will cherish the times we planned, pranked, ate, drank and laughed on so many great nights together."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-63904248
My favourite punk band