Gilson Lavis, Squeeze Drummer Who Played With Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, And Dolly Parton, Dies At 74

Gilson Lavis, the renowned drummer for Squeeze and later a member of Jools Holland’s Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, has died at 74. Born in Bedfordshire, England, in 1951, Lavis began his music career touring with legends like Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Dolly Parton. He joined Squeeze in 1976, replacing the band’s original drummer Paul Gunn, and he played on all their classic albums from their 1978 self-titled debut through 1991’s Play, while contributing to the band’s biggest hits, such as “Cool for Cats,” “Tempted,” and “Black Coffee in Bed.” After leaving Squeeze in 1992 amid a personal struggle with alcoholism, he reunited with former bandmate Jools Holland, performing with his orchestra. Later in life, Lavis pursued painting, finding peace in art while continuing to perform music with passion. His death was announced by Holland on Facebook on Thursday (November 6), with the singer/pianist calling Lavis “my dear friend and long-standing drummer,” while also expressing his condolences to everyone in the music community who worked with him, as well as sending his “love and sympathy to Nikki and Gilson, his dear wife and son.” (Consequence of Sound)