Squeeze Drummer and Jools Holland Bandmate Gilson Lavis Dies at 74

His bandmate Jools Holland shared the news on social media on Thursday, revealing that he passed away on November 5.

 "I am deeply saddened to announce that my dear friend and longtime drummer, Gilson Lavis, passed away last night at his home in Lincolnshire."

 He expressed his "love and condolences" to Lavis's wife and son.

  ‘I’m very sad to report that Gilson Lavis my dear friend and long-standing drummer, passed away at his home in Lincolnshire last night.’

 He sent his ‘love and sympathy’ to Lavis’s wife and son.

‘On behalf of my Orchestra, Squeeze, the many musicians who have worked with and befriended Gilson over the years and all the people he has supported through the AA fellowship, I send our love and sympathy to Nikki and Gilson, his dear wife and son,’ he said on Instagram.

She shared several photos of herself with Lewis over the years, showing their changing looks after decades of friendship.

Squeeze rose to fame in the 1970s, forming in London in 1974.

 Their most famous single, "Cool for Cats," reached the UK Top 10, along with songs like "Up the Junction" and "Labelled with Love."

 The group split in 1982, reformed in 1985, broke up again in 1999, and reunited for the final time in 2007.

 Lavis was a member of the group from 1976 to 1982 and in another incarnation from 1985 to 1992.

 Although he did not return to the band in its final incarnation in 2007, he continued to work with Jools Holland as the drummer in Jools Holland's Rhythm & Blues Orchestra.

He retired from drumming at the end of 2024, the year before his death.

 Jools announced the news on Facebook on December 2: ‘Thank you to everyone who came out to our milestone and emotional shows at the Royal Albert Hall.

 ‘Which marked our last on stage performances with our drummer, nuclear reactor and dear friend Gilson Lavis.