Peter Jones, the drummer for Aussie pop band Crowded House has died at the age of 45. He had been suffering from brain cancer and passed away on May 18, 2012. The band posted a message of their website, that simply read "We are in mourning today for the death of Peter Jones. We remember him as a warm hearted, funny and talented man, who was a valuable member of Crowded House. He played with style and spirit. We salute him and send our love and best thoughts to his family and friends."
Jones joined the band in 1994, after Paul Hester had left the group but not long before they split. He played in the band's farewell show, in 1996. The band performed their Farewell to the World concert on the steps of the Sydney Opera House in November 1996. The recording of the concert was released as a live video. Following the split of Crowded House, Peter Jones went on to join the band Deadstar, playing on their 1997 album Milk. The band's original drummer Paul Hester, also died, in 2005. He committed suicide by hanging himself from a tree in a Melbourne park near to his home. He was 46 years old.
The news of Peter's death comes just a short while after two other high profile musicians also have also passed way as a result of cancer. The disco legend Donna Summer had kept her lung cancer a secret from all but her closest friends and family. Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees also died after a battle with colon cancer, yesterday (May 20, 2012).