Charlatans drummer makes live return

Drummer Jon Brookes has made his live return with The Charlatans.

The musician suffered an on-stage collapse last month in Philadelphia and was later diagnosed with a brain tumour. He has been temporarily replaced in the band's lineup by Pete Salisbury, formerly of The Verve.

Brookes rejoined his bandmates at the Birmingham Academy for the last song on the final date of their current UK tour and explained in a blog post: "I have been doing well physically with my various treatments and I asked the band to let me come on and do the last tune of the evening. Luckily the answer was positive and I set about getting my head around getting back behind a drum kit since Philly.

"The day soon arrived and I got up as normal with pre-gig butterflies and went to sound check to get myself in the groove. As per as normal everyone was cool and I waited backstage listening to the songs counting down to my turn."

He added: "A huge feeling of goodwill came head on towards me as over 2,000 Charlatans fans let me know that I was welcome back on stage. I took the deepest breath and tried to let it flow.

"I hope it sounded okay, but to be honest I have no real measure, it was like I would imagine doing the 100 metres in the Olympic games would feel like!! But please let me say thanks again to the Academy crowd for a top night!!"

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