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RIP: British drummer Mike Kellie of The Only Ones and Spooky Tooth has died at 69

British drummer Mike Kellie, known for his work in bands like The Only Ones, Spooky Tooth, and r&b musical ensemble The V.I.Ps, has died at the age of 69.

Kellie played drums on one of the greatest power-pop singles of all time in the Only Ones' 1978 classic "Another Girl, Another Planet", a song that has been covered by dozens of bands in years since.

On Thursday (January 19), The Only Ones' John Perry posted news of Kellie's death to Facebook. The message reads:

"MIKE KELLIE. 1947-2017

We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of our friend and colleague Mike Kellie.

Kellie learned of his illness last September but, characteristically, chose to keep the diagnosis private. We will post more, personal, appreciations in due course but, for the moment, we will recall the 40 years of music-making we shared with him. A gentleman, a friend and a fine musician. Our thoughts are with his family.

Peter and Zena Perrett, Alan Mair, John Perry."

As BrooklynVegan notes, Kellie was also a popular session drummer who recorded with Traffic, George Harrison, Jerry Lewis, and Peter Frampton, as well as with Johnny Thunders on the So Alone LP.

Take a listen to a few of his works below, via Last Day Deaf, including the classic "Another Girl, Another Planet."

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