Peter Jones

Peter Robert Jones (21 April 1963 – 18 May 2012) was an English-born Australian musician. He replaced Paul Hester on drums for Crowded House in mid-1994. After the band split up in June 1996, he played in Deadstar with Caroline Kennedy and Nick Seymour, but did not return to Crowded House when they re-formed in 2006 about a year after Hester's death. Jones worked as a secondary teacher in Melbourne and on 18 May 2012, he died from brain cancer, aged 49.[edit]

Peter Jones spent his final months battling a serious illness while continuing to work as a secondary teacher in Melbourne, balancing his professional life with the demands of his health. The musician passed away on May 18, 2012, at the age of 49 after a prolonged struggle that cut short a career spanning decades of rock and roll. The official cause of death was brain cancer, a diagnosis that had been kept relatively private by the family until the end. His passing occurred just over a year after the death of former Crowded House drummer Paul Hester, marking a somber period for the band's extended circle and the wider Australian music community.

Tributes flowed from colleagues who remembered him not only for his solid drumming during the mid-90s but also for his dedication to education and his quiet presence within the industry., friends and former bandmates honored his memory through personal reflections and private gatherings. The news of his death served as a reminder of the fragility facing musicians who transitioned into other careers, yet his contributions to Crowded House and Deadstar remained a respected chapter in their histories. He left behind a legacy defined by his versatility and his commitment to both music and teaching.[edit]