Former UFO, Diamond Head Drummer Dies
Robbie France also played with Wishbone Ash was a founding member of Skunk Anansie
The multi-talented France first came to prominence when he joined Diamond Head in 1982, going on to appear on their Canterbury album.
In 1985 he replaced Andy Parker in UFO, before departing the following year to set up his own drum teaching studio in Kingston-Upon-Thames. He also started his long running monthly column in Rhythm magazine.
He played in a variety of bands in the ensuing years before playing drums with Wishbone Ash while they were on the road in support of their Strange Affair album.
After temporarily moving to Australia, France returned to London in 1994 where he helped found Skunk Anansie. He recorded and co-produced the band's debut album Paranoid & Sunburnt and he co-wrote the song 'Weak'.
In recent years France had spent time in Poland and Spain, where he produced for numerous bands.
He also had hist first novel, 'Six Degrees South', published just last December.
RIP Robbie France, 1959-2012