R.I.P. - Gilson Lavis (27 June 1951 – 5 November 2025) was an English drummer and portrait artist.

He gained fame as the drummer with band Squeeze in the 1970s and 1980s. Lavis was later the drummer for Jools Holland's Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, with former Squeeze bandmate Jools Holland, before retiring from drumming towards the end of 2024.

Lavis and Holland both appeared as uncredited members of "The Nice Twelve" in the 1994 partially improvised comedy film There's No Business..., starring Raw Sex (Simon Brint and Rowland Rivron) and The Oblivion Boys.

He was also a portrait artist having had several exhibitions in London and the home counties. He painted numerous musicians including Lily Allen, Paloma Faith, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Louis Armstrong, Lulu and Smokey Robinson.

Lavis died at his home in Lincolnshire on 5 November 2025, at the age of 74.

Gilson Lavis Drum solo.......Jools Holland Eastnor Castle 2014

Jools Holland/Gilson Lavis/Roland Rivron - Let there be drums

Gilson Lavis amazing drum solo

Gilson Lavis: Jools Holland’s Bandmate and Squeeze Drummer Remembered at 74 | NewsDrift

 

I remember The band fondly. Very talented, all of them! RIP Gilson