Overview
- Jools Holland announced the news on social media, sending condolences to Lavis’s wife, Nikki, and their son.
- Born in Bedfordshire in 1951, Lavis powered Squeeze’s classic era, featuring on hits including Tempted, Cool for Cats and Black Coffee in Bed.
- Following his tenure with Squeeze, he served for decades in Jools Holland’s Rhythm & Blues Orchestra and performed on Later… With Jools Holland.
- He retired from drumming in 2024 as he increasingly devoted time to portrait painting, depicting artists such as Bob Dylan and Louis Armstrong.
- Musicians and broadcasters shared tributes to his skill and character, with the Later… team posting a compilation of his standout performances.