Kevin Wilkinson: Age 41 | Cause Of Death: SUICIDE

(Died. 17 July 1999)

The former Squeeze and Waterboys drummer, Kevin Wilkinson, has tragically been found hanged at his home in Wiltshire. The 41 year old musician was found at his home in Baydon, near Swindon, by his wife, Marilyn Fitzgerald, early on Sunday morning just three weeks before he was due to fly to America to play on an eight date ‘comeback’ tour with ’80’s pop star, Howard Jones. Wilkinson was also due to appear at London’s Embassy Rooms on the 25th August with Jones, on their return from the States. ~ www.bigmouth.co.uk

Fuller Up The Dead Musicians Directory

KEVIN MICHAEL WILKINSON

Kevin Wilkinson
Age: 41
Died: July 17, 1999
Cause Of Death: SUICIDE

Obituary

Kevin Wilkinson

Dear Everyone,

It is with the deepest sadness and regret that I have to inform you that on Saturday 17 July Kevin Wilkinson took his life.

As you know, Kevin has been playing drums with Howard for the past year and was regarded as one of the highest quality people and drummers imaginable. In the musical community and beyond Kevin was very highly regarded and had many loyal friends.

We are all shocked and stunned that this could have happened to such a friend as Kevin.

I’m sure you will join with us in passing on our deepest sympathy to his family at this very difficult time.

Many thanks for the support and sympathy which I know you will feel.

love and best wishes,

David Stopps (Manager for Howard Jones)

Former Squeeze drummer commits suicide

Kevin Wilkinson, a former drummer with British pop groups The Waterboys and Squeeze, has committed suicide.

He was 41.

The news was announced by David Stopps, manager for musician Howard Jones. Wilkinson had been playing drums with the ’80s pop sensation for the past year and had recently returned from a tour of the United States.

Stopps said Wilkinson hanged himself and was found by his wife at his home near Swindon, Wiltshire last Saturday.

The father of three had also played for China Crisis and the Proclaimers.

Friends say that Wilkinson had complained of feeling depressed recently and had mentioned how touring was affecting his family life.

“(Wilkinson) was regarded as one of the highest quality people and drummers imaginable,” Stopps wrote in a farewell note on Jones’ Web site, www.howardjones.com.

“In the musical community and beyond, Kevin was very highly regarded and had many loyal friends.”

— Canadian Press

Squeeze/Waterboys drummer found hanged

www.bigmouth.co.uk

The former Squeeze and Waterboys drummer, Kevin Wilkinson, has tragically been found hanged at his home in Wiltshire. The 41 year old musician was found at his home in Baydon, near Swindon, by his wife, Marilyn Fitzgerald, early on Sunday morning just three weeks before he was due to fly to America to play on an eight date ‘comeback’ tour with ’80’s pop star, Howard Jones. Wilkinson was also due to appear at London’s Embassy Rooms on the 25th August with Jones, on their return from the States.

On their official web site, Squeeze have posted this message – “The news of Kevin’s tragic death has come as a great shock to us. In slipping the surly bonds of this Earth Kevin will always be remembered with love, laughter and affection by us all. Our thoughts are now for the family that he leaves behind and our hope is that everybody respects their privacy.” Wilkinson played on their 1995 album ‘Ridiculous’ and it’s subsequent tours and also on their 1996, ‘Excess Moderation’, tour.

Apart from Squeeze, Jones and the Waterboys (with whom he played on almost all of their albums), the extremely popular and highly respected drummer’s CV includes China Crisis, Robert Fripp, Joey Ramone, The Proclaimers, Bonnie Raitt and Mike Scott, the former Waterboys front man. Father of three young children, aged ten, seven and two, Wilkinson was also involved in organizing the Kosovo Aid concert at the Forum in London at the end of May.

This news comes just three weeks after Brian O’Hara, singer and guitarist with sixties ‘Merseybeat’ pop group, The Fourmost, was found hanged at his home in the Waverley district of Liverpool.

Member Of Band Squeeze Dies At 41

Wilkinson Apparently Committed Suicide

LONDON, Posted 10:33 a.m. July 23, 1999 — A member of the rock band Squeeze has died in an apparent suicide.

Drummer Kevin Wilkinson, 41, apparently took his own life in the English town of Baydon last Saturday. He is survived by his wife and three children.

Wilkinson had worked as a drummer for decades. In the 1970s, he played with the band Stadium Dogs, then he joined the group China Crisis.

In 1995, he joined the reformed Squeeze band and played on their album “Ridiculous.”

According to the Squeeze Web site, fellow band members Glenn Tilbrook, Chris Difford and Keith Wilkinson released a statement saying, “The news of Kevin’s tragic death has come as a great shock to us. In slipping the surly bonds of this Earth, Kevin will always be remembered with love, laughter and affection by us all. Our thoughts are now for the family that he leaves behind and our hope is that everybody respects their privacy.”

Just last month, Wilkinson called on other musicians to take part in a Kosovo aid concert in his hometown of Swindon, England.

News reports did not indicate Wilkinson’s exact cause of death, or possible motives.