Former Skunk Anansie drummer Robbie France passed away on Saturday 14 January aged 52 after reportedly suffering a ruptured aorta.

In a lengthy career, drummer France played on Diamond Head’s 1983 album Canterbury and spent a year with UFO from 1984. France was also a member of Wishbone Ash, recording the 1991 album Strange Affair. He was a founder-member of Skunk Anansie, playing on their 1995 debut album Paranoid And Sunburnt.

Last year, France (who was also a respected drum tutor) had first novel published. This was called Six Degrees South.

His funeral will be held in Spain later this week.