Tributes paid as Squeeze drummer Gilson Lavis dies, age 74: “A giant of a drummer in one of the greatest ever British groups”

Squeeze drummer Gilson Lavis has died, aged 74.

The drummer was a longtime member of the British rock band, and also a part of Jools Holland’s Rhythm And Blues Orchestra. News of his death was shared by Holland in a new social media update.

“I’m very sad to report that Gilson Lavis, my dear friend and long-standing drummer passed away at his home in Lincolnshire last night,” Holland wrote yesterday (Thursday November 6).

“On behalf of my Orchestra, Squeeze, the many musicians who have worked with and befriended Gilson over the years and all the people he has supported through the AA fellowship, I send our love and sympathy to Nikki and Gilson, his dear wife and son.”

Lavis was aged 74. No cause of death has been publicly disclosed at time of writing.

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Numerous tributes have come in to pay tribute to the sticksman following news of his death. The official X/Twitter page for Later… With Jools Holland shared a compilation of some of his “best bits on the Hootenanny” and wrote: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of a dear friend of the show, Gilson Lavis.

“As a former member of Squeeze and long-standing drummer in Jools’ Orchestra, we fondly remember him as one of the greats.”

BBC journalist Sue Charles added that “Gilson will forever be the heartbeat of the band [and] a giant of a drummer in one of the greatest ever British groups,” while musician Paul Carrack described him as “a lovely man and a supremely talented drummer”.

We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of a dear friend of the show, Gilson Lavis.

As a former member of Squeeze and long-standing drummer in Jools’ Orchestra, we fondly remember him as one of the greats. Here we look back on just some of his best bits on the Hootenanny. pic.twitter.com/fJK9xoqPoc

— Later…with Jools Holland on BBC Two (@BBCLater) November 6, 2025

Some news stops you in your tracks. Unbelievably sad to hear the Squeeze legend, Gilson Lavis has died.

For fans, Gilson will forever be the heartbeat of the band. A giant of a drummer in one of the greatest ever British groups.#RIP #GilsonLavis pic.twitter.com/AyR7fJYKOi

— Sue Charles (@Sue_Charles) November 6, 2025

So sorry to hear of the passing of Gilson Lavis a lovely man & supremely talented drummer ..will be missed pic.twitter.com/JnUovFwJ22

— Paul Carrack (@PCarrack) November 6, 2025

“Just heard that Gilson Lavis has passed away. Drummer for Squeeze and Jools Holland Rythym and Blues Orchestra. Saw both of them live, he was a fabulous musician,” wrote a fan on X, while another chimed in: “Sorry to hear the sad news about Gilson Lavis. He was brilliant on the drums. He’ll be sadly missed.”

Find more tributes below.

Just heard that Gilson Lavis has passed away. Drummer for Squeeze and Jools Holland Rythym and Blues Orchestra. Saw both of them live, he was a fabulous musician.

Sad news.

— Jaybee (@waschops) November 7, 2025

Aww sorry to hear the sad news about Gilson Lavis. He was brilliant on the drums. . He’ll be sadly missed.

— Alicia Kerr (@AliciaK20247357) November 7, 2025

Was great to see him live
R. I. P. Gilson Lavis

— caz5791 (@caz5791170789) November 7, 2025

RIP Gilson Lavis. One of the first *proper pro drummers* I ever saw live back in early 1978 when Squeeze supported Eddie and the Hot Rods at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall. It was immediately apparent that he was very, very good indeed. He wore a sweat shirt with “Squeeze Drummer” on it. pic.twitter.com/VMq345kKGv

— Ali Wilson (@Drumslinger) November 7, 2025

RIP Gilson Lavis. A true legend behind the kit and a friendly, approachable guy in person.https://t.co/PXE6jlZWiS

— Matt Usher (@mattusher) November 7, 2025

Sorry to hear Gilson Lavis of Squeeze has died – one of the great New Wave drummers for a much under-rated band.

— David Taylor (@djtaylorwriter) November 7, 2025

RIP Gilson Lavis. That drum intro to one of the great British singles still makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Simply a great drummer. Sad day. pic.twitter.com/NLxrLwxkhg

— Chris Tait (@SweetLeftFoot11) November 7, 2025

Born David Leslie Gilson Lavis, the musician was born in Bedfordshire in 1951, and went on to become a member of Squeeze in 1975.

Before then, he had already made a name for himself by playing drums alongside huge names in the music industry, including Dolly Parton, Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis.

In 1987 he was recruited by fellow Squeeze bandmate Jools Holland to be a part of his Rhythm And Blues Orchestra – the group that would later play on talk shows and appear regularly on the BBC show Later… With Jools Holland.

As well as being a musician, Lavis was also a portrait artists and painted artists including Bob Dylan, Louis Armstrong, Jimi Hendrix and more (via Stereogum).

He announced his retirement from drumming in 2024.

The post Tributes paid as Squeeze drummer Gilson Lavis dies, age 74: “A giant of a drummer in one of the greatest ever British groups” appeared first on NME.