Jon Brookes The Charlatans

Jon Brookes began his drumming career in 1989 as the youngest member of 'The Charlatans' aged 20. Although, he spent his teens in various bands and even played in a jazz trio in his parent’s pub, playing on his first Premier drum set.

As with all self-taught and inexperienced musicians, the learning curve was steep and within one year of gigging and playing support slots with the Stone Roses, The Charlatans had received their first gold disc and debut number one album in the UK in 1990. The UK/US hit single ‘The Only One I Know’ broke the band in America resulting in a debut album by a young British band in the US Billboard Top 75.

In the 20 years Jon has spent as a professional musician, he has recorded many albums and sessions for other artists including The Chemical Brothers, Heidi Berry and BBC live sessions with John Peel, Mark Radcliffe and Jo Whiley.

The Charlatans have an impressive catalogue, which holds 14 studio albums (3 reaching number one) and 24 top 40 hit singles. Also live albums and concert DVD’s have been sold worldwide. This has been achieved with the help of some of the world’s biggest recording labels, and the band has trodden the boards of all the major music festivals across the globe.  The Charlatans have been special guests to The Stone Roses, The Rolling Stones, Oasis, The Who and The Police.

The release of the latest ‘Charlatans’ album will see the band touring, yet again Europe, the Far East, Russia, South America, USA and Australia.

Jon’s career is diverse and varied, he is an experienced drum clinician who is happy to demonstrate some of the techniques/methods which have guided him through his drumming career. He has co-produced and also co-written much of The Charlatans musical output at their own recording studio, and also spends time working as a producer, band manager/promoter and website developer/social media advisor for up and coming artists.