Peter Van Hooke was the drummer in the English band Mike + The Mechanics and also drummed for Van Morrison's band, Headstone, and Ezio. During the 1980s he co-produced many of Tanita Tikaram's hits. Van Hooke grew up in Stanmore, Middlesex and attended Mill Hill school. His schoolmate Chaz Jankel lived close by, and the two formed The Call of The Wild. This band became the Rik Parnell Independence, featuring the son of bandleader Jack Parnell as vocalist. Van Hooke played drums on Van Morrison's albums from 1978's Wavelength, Into the Music, Common One, Beautiful Vision, Inarticulate Speech of the Heart, the live album, Live at the Grand Opera House Belfast recorded in 1983 and released in 1984, and The Philosopher's Stone. For some years he also was the drummer in Morrison's touring band which sometimes included two simultaneous drummers. He can also be heard on Chris de Burgh's albums Into the Light and Flying Colours. Van Hooke was also in demand as a session drummer in the 70s and 80s, and was one of the first UK drummers to own a set of Syndrums, initially coming to prominence on the Marshall Hain hit "Dancing in the City". 

April 6th, 1950 in (Age 74)