Drummers that passed away in 2012

This list is not complete, you can help by adding.

Marvin Lavon (Levon) Helm (May 26, 1940-April 19th 2012) drummer of THE BAND passed away from cancer.

Thomas Robert "Tom" Ardolino (January 12, 1955 – January 6, 2012) was a rock drummer best known as a member of NRBQ (New Rhythm and Blues Quartet).

Robbie France (former drummer of Skunk Anansie, Diamond Head, and UFO) passed away on Jan. 14th in Spain. He was 52.

Peter Robert Jones (21 April 1963 – 18 May 2012) of Crowded House,  died from brain cancer on May 18, 2012 in Melbourne, aged 49.

Edward Cluade "Cas" Cassidy  (May 4, 1923 – December 6, 2012) was an American jazz and rock drummer who was one of the founders of the rock group Spirit in 1967. He died of cancer at age  89.

Michael Hossack (October 17, 1946 – March 12, 2012) drummer for The Doobie Brothers passed away after a motorcycle accident.

Tonmi Kristian Lillman (3 June 1973 – 14 February 2012) was a Finnish musician, best known as Otus the drummer of the band Lordi. The cause of death is still unknown.

Robby Karras former Bullet Boys drummer passed away. No details about the death have been confirmed, although it’s thought Karras had been ill for some time.

Robert Nix  who played with such greats as Roy Orbison and was the founding drummer of the Atlanta Rhythm Section, passed away in Memphis, TN on Sunday at the age of 67. It was said that he suffered from diabetes and was hospitalized for a month after an operation.

David L. Heim passed away on Friday, November 16, 2012 in Chicago, IL; he was 57.
From 1976 to 1983, Heim worked for Ludwig Drum Company,  On September 17, 2004 joined the Drummer Cafe - Community Forum, and since that time was an avid supporter, contributor and VIP Member of the Drummer Cafe.

Tom Donlinger passed away on April 20, 2012 following a long struggle with a terminal illness. He was 63. He played with such legendary Midwestern outfits as Rotary Connection, Aorta, and The Cryan’ Shames. His reputation soon spread across the continent and he was invited to join Lovecraft, a Northern Californian psychedelic band backed by Bill Graham.

Willie Ackerman, Nashville drummer, who played with artists such as Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson and Louis Armstrong, has died. He was 73.

Pete Hayes, the drummer for South London dream pop band Echo Lake, died at age 25, cause of death has not been released.

James P.C. Stafford, drummer for Moto-X passed away on August 15, 2012.

Scotty Lockridge, drummer for High Flight Society,  passed away suddenly on Sunday, May 20th.  Cause of death was trauma to the head as a result of a seizure.

Marvim Mcquitty passed away after a short severe illness. He collaborated with everyone from the gospel artists Fred Hammond and Israel & New Breed to the pop stars Stevie Wonder and Jessica Simpson, passed away this week at age forty-six.

Scott Columbus of Manowar, passed away on April 4th. Cause of death still unknown. He was 54.

Cedric Sharpley (July 2, 1951-March 13, 2012) drummer and songwriter most notable for playing with Gary Numan, died of a heart attack.

Clive Welham of Joker's Wild, passed away on May 9, 2012. He had been ill for a long time and was said to have passed away peacefully. 

Richard Teeter of The Dictators and Twisted Sister, died at the age of 61. No other information could be found.

Uncle Lionel Batist (1931-2012) of the Treme Brass Band, died of cancer at the age of 81.

Mark "BAM BAM" McConnell, former Sebastian Bach drummer, passed away on May 24, 2012.
 McConnell's liver and kidneys shut down, which lead to brain damage.

Brad Parker of  Generation Esmeralda died of an apparent heart attack onstage. He was 59.

Robert "Bob" French Sr.(74) was the drummer and longtime leader of the Original Tuxedo Jazz Band and a radio DJ. He passed away after a long battle with dementia and diabetes and related complications.

Johnny Perez (69) Topanga drummer and songwriter died from complications of cirrhosis of the liver.

Terrance Conner of Total Slacker was killed in a hit and run accident on Oct.1 2012.

Tracy Richardson former drummer of The Hinsons, passed away on July 8 2012. Tracy had been battling health issues for some time, and was recently diagnosed with a rare blood disease.

Scott Johnson drum tech for Radiohead's drummer Philip Selway died when the stage collapsed.  He was 33. 

Once again, this list is not complete, if you know of more drummers/percussionists that have passed away this year please add them to this list.