No Rock And Roll Fun

DISCOBIT: Tony Thompson, drummer with Chic and the Power Station, has died. Thompson, 48, died less than a month after being diagnosed with renal cancer.

His first majore success was as drummer for labelle, but in a long and varied career saw him working with most of the big names in the music industry - he played on Bowie's Lets Dance album as well as whacking his sticks for Rod Stewart, Madonna (on Like A Virgin) and Debbie Harry.

An invitation to make permanent a role filling John Bonham's drum chair in a reactivated Led Zeppelin - following a Live Aid appearance with the band - was abandoned after Thompson was badly injured in a car crash.

As is too often the case in the States, illness and death has left Thompons's family with huge medical bills and other financial burdens. A memorial fund has been established to help out.