Gilson Lavis
Gilson Lavis | |
|---|---|
Lavis in 2013 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | David Leslie Gilson Lavis 27 June 1951 Bedford, Bedfordshire, England |
| Died | 5 November 2025 (aged 74) Pinchbeck, Lincolnshire, England |
| Genres | |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument | Drums |
| Years active | 1976–2024 |
| Formerly of | |
David Leslie Gilson Lavis (/ˈɡɪlsən ˈleɪvɪs/ GHIL-sən LAY-vis, 27 June 1951 – 5 November 2025) was an English drummer and portrait artist. He gained fame as drummer with the band Squeeze in the 1970s and 1980s. Lavis was for more than 30 years drummer for Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, with former Squeeze bandmate Jools Holland, before retiring from drumming in 2024. Rod Stewart described him as "the best swing drummer since Charlie Watts ... the guv'nor of swing".