Squeeze legend - drummer Gilson Lavis - has died: Jools Holland pays tribute to 'dear friend'

Drummer Gilson Lavis - known as the man behind the kit for Up The Junction legends Squeeze - has died. The 74-year-old later featured in former Squeeze bandmate Jools Holland's Rhythm and Blues Orchestra - and the musician and BBC music host confirmed the passing of his friend.

Holland paid an emotional tribute to Lavis, who retired from music last year, saying: "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.

“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."

Fans flocked to pay their own tributes to the musician - sticks man on cult classic Cool for Cats, which took Squeeze to worldwide fame in the 1970s and 80s.

The band broke up in 1982 before reuniting in 1985, disbanding again in 1999 and now performing with a new-look line-up, releasing two albums – Cradle to the Gave in 2015, and The Knowledge in 2017.

He featured in the original Squeeze line-up alongside songwriters Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook, described as "the heirs to Lennon and McCartney's throne" when they broke through, having formed in Deptford, South London.

Before Squeeze, Lavis had performed with a host of influential musicians, including the likes of Chuck Berry, Dolly Parton and Jerry Lee Lewis. He was also a portrait artist, and hosted a number of exhibitions in London, featuring paintings of the likes of Lily Allen, Paloma Faith and Jimi Hendrix.