Angus “Drummie Zeb” Gaye, drummer and lead singer for British reggae band Aswad, died in London September 2 at age 62. The band released a statement confirming his passing but no cause of death was given.

“It is with deepest regret and profound loss that we have to announce the passing of our brother Angus ‘Drummie’ Gaye. Drummie was the lead vocalist for the iconic band Aswad and is much loved and respected by both family, friends, and peers alike. More information will be given at a later time but on behalf of his family and Aswad. We ask that their privacy is respected at this heartbreaking time. Drummie has left us to join our ancestors and leaves a huge void both personally and professionally,” read the statement.

Drummie Zeb, guitarist/vocalist Brinsley Forde and bassist Tony Robinson were the core of Aswad’s original line-up which formed in London during the mid-1970s. All were of Caribbean heritage, with Drummie Zeb’s parents originally from Grenada.

They were part of a rebellious British reggae movement that included bands like Steel Pulse and Misty In Roots and dub poet Linton Kwesi Johnson.

Aswad started as a hard-core, roots-reggae act with songs like Three Babylon and Not Satisfied. Drummie Zeb’s passionate playing on the 1982 in-concert album Live And Direct won him widespread acclaim.

He also played on Love Fire, a song from Aswad’s 1981 Columbia Records album New Chapter. That rhythm drove Dennis Brown’s classic song Promised Land.

Drummie Zeb performed twice with Aswad in Jamaica — at Reggae Sunsplash in 1982 and 1992.

As the band’s sound and image became more commercial he assumed most of the lead vocal duties on songs like the global 1988 hit Don’t Turn Around as well as Give A Little Love and I Need Your Love.