Following “years of ill health,” Jet Black, drummer of UK rock band The Stranglers, has died at the age of 84.
Jet Black “died peacefully at home surrounded by his family,” on Tuesday (December 6), as announced on social media yesterday. The legendary English drummer leaves behind two children, Anthony and Charlotte, and his wife Ava. According to his bandmate, JJ Burnel, the 84-year-old musician passed away “after years of ill health,” and “has finally been released.”
A statement posted on The Stranglers’ official Twitter account on Friday (December 9) reads: “It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of our dear friend, colleague and band elder statesman Jet Black. Jet died peacefully at home surrounded by his family. Fond adieu, fly straight JB.”
Formed in 1972, The Stranglers played a key role in the UK punk and new wave revolution. In 2007, the band announced that Jet Black was dealing with heart issues, hence taking leave from performing with the group. He resumed playing drums with the band for their 2010 and 2011 tours, before retiring in 2015.
News of Jet Black’s passing has been met with a flurry of heartfelt tributes from artists, including former Oasis guitarist Paul Arthurs, and previous frontman of The Stranglers, Hugh Cornwall. See some of the tributes paid to Jet Black below.
RIP Jet Black x pic.twitter.com/K307U1L6xp
— Paul Arthurs. (@BoneheadsPage) December 8, 2022
A statement from Hugh Cornwell regarding the passing of Jet Black: https://t.co/NALk4hdqVE
— Hugh Cornwell (@HughCornwell) December 8, 2022
It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of our dear friend, colleague and band elder statesman Jet Black. Jet died peacefully at home surrounded by his family. Fond adieu, fly straight JB.x
Read more: https://t.co/vz0RJDme7X pic.twitter.com/XLrcgoCkxr— The Stranglers (Official) (@StranglersSite) December 8, 2022
