The ShadowMusic Web Community

It is with great sadness that I have to report the untimely death of Les Whitehead who died this morning of an asbestos related illness; he would have been 65 this Sunday. He was still playing locally in the Gloucester area up to 6 weeks ago.

Les first played with Jet in the mid seventies, including the Edinburgh Festival and the northern Clubland still under the name of the Diamonds. After a couple of years the band was reformed with Les still playing drums, but now called ''The Jet Harris Band''.

Some of you may remember him, but I think a lot of you will only remember his picture. He was a key person during Jet's 'problem' years and was ever watchful over his health and safe keeping and helped him steer a new career in the music industry, for which we are all grateful.

Another great musician has sadly left us. He was a pleasure to work with, steady as a rock, perfect timing, no flash and a great drummer.

God bless you Les.

John



Les Whitehead...

never new him but sounds a nice bloke. r.i.p. peter

Very sad news.

Very sad news indeed. 65 is just way too young to pass away in this day and age. Courtesy of Jet, I met Les several times between 1985 - c. 1995. As others have said.....what a lovely, genuine guy he was and a fine drummer too. I can't claim to have known him anywhere near as well as others on this site - but it was always a pleasure to be in his company. My sincere condolences to Les's family, close relatives and friends.

Rob

Never had the pleasure of meeting Les however as a fellow drummer may I say rest in peace.
God bless you

Ron

I never knew Les, but I would like to say thank you for the wonderful music and, even more importantly, thank you for everything you did to help Jet. God bless you. I hope you get together with a few friends like Big Jim and Jet and make the pearly gates Shake, Rattle, and Roll.

Respectfully,
Donna