Jon passed away in a hospital on Tuesday morning, the band said. He was just 44. He is survived by his wife and three daughters.

A statement from the band calls Jon Jon "a brilliant drummer, an inspiration":

"(...) A founding member of The Charlatans, [Jon was] part of our family and a friend to everyone in and around the band. Losing someone who was always so full of life is a tragedy that will be shared by so many. Our thoughts are with Debbie and all of Jon's family.""

The Charlatans suffered a previous tragedy when keyboard player Rob Collins was killed in in a car accident during the recording of thair album 'Tellin' Stories', in 1996.

Jon was first diagnosed with a brain tumour after he collapsed on stage in Philadelphia during a tour in 2010.

Despite undergoing treatment and several operations in the following years, Jon continued playing with the band.

Understandably, Jon was forced to sit out a lot of work with the band to undergo treatment, and Verve drummer Pete Salisbury stepped in to replace him for a number of live shows.

But despite his health issues, Jon had been working on new material with The Charlatans this summer.

Jon Brookes was a founding member of the the Northwich/Black Country band who first rose to prominence with debut album 'Some Friendly', and soon came to be associated with the early 1990s "Madchester" scene.

Prior to The Charlatans, Jon had drummer in The Gift Horses, alongside former Prisoners’ singer/guitarist Graham Day and Makin' Time's organist Fay Hallam.

Jon Brookes made eleven albums with The Charlatans, including the chart-topping self-titled release in 1995 and 'Tellin’ Stories' in 1997. Their most recent album, 2010's 'Who We Touch', saw them collaborating with Penny Rimbaud (real name: Jerry Ratter) of Crass.

Jon also recorded many albums and sessions for other artists, including The Chemical Brothers, as can be heard on their 2005 album 'Push The Button'.