The Charlatans‘ drummer Jon Brookes joined the band on stage during the final date of their UK tour in Birmingham on Saturday (October 23rd) for the first since being diagnosed with a brain tumour following his collapse on stage in Philadelphia last month.
Writing on the band’s official blog, Brookes told of his improving health which convinced him to ask his band-mates to allow him back on stage for a short time. “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,” he wrote. “Luckily the answer was positive and I set about getting my head around getting back behind a drum kit since Philly.”
Later, Brookes described the moment he returned to the live scene, and thanked the crowd for their response. “A huge feeling of goodwill came head on towards me as over 2000 Charlatans fans let me know that I was welcome back on stage,” he revealed. “I took the deepest breath and tried to let it flow. I hope it sounded OK, 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!!”
The Charlatans are now due to begin a tour of Europe beginning in Amsterdam tonight, before moving on to Australia next month.