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Robbie France

Robbie France (5 December 1959 – 14 January 2012) was an English , , songwriter, music educator, broadcaster, and author renowned for his versatile contributions to rock and heavy metal music across multiple continents. Born in , , France relocated to at around age 10, where he immersed himself in drumming studies at the of Rudimentary Drummers under tutor Harry Lebler until 1974. By age 15, he began teaching percussion at the Australian Academy of Music, showcasing early prodigious talent before embarking on a professional career that took him back to the in 1982. France's extensive discography as a session and touring drummer included stints with influential bands such as (1982–1985, including a 1983 Monsters of Rock festival performance and contributing to their album Canterbury and the hit single "Makin' Music"), UFO (1984–1985), and (on their 1995 debut album Paranoid and Sunburnt). He also collaborated with acts like , , , U.D.O., , Rock Goddess, , and Ellis, Beggs & Howard, amassing credits on over 100 albums while influencing the of British scene—Diamond Head's work, for instance, inspired covers by Metallica and . Beyond performance, he founded the jazz-fusion group , produced tracks, scored four films and eight documentaries, and accumulated over 1,000 television, radio, and advertising credits. In his later years, after moving to in 1998, France hosted a radio show, wrote as a journalist for Rhythm magazine, and published the Six Degrees South in 2011. He passed away at age 52 in Spain from a ruptured .

Early life

Childhood and family

Robert France, known professionally as Robbie France, was born on 5 December 1959 in , , the youngest of three sons of his mother and stepfather Arnold France; his brothers were David and Melvin. He spent his early childhood in , a major industrial hub in renowned for its steel production and trade during the , a time when the city was at the peak of its manufacturing prominence before later economic shifts.

Move to Australia and early musical training

Around 1970, at about age 10, Robbie France emigrated with his family from , , to . France enrolled at the National Academy of Rudimentary Drummers of shortly after the move, studying intensive drumming techniques under tutor Harry Lebler until 1974. This period provided foundational training in rhythm and percussion fundamentals, building on his self-taught skills from childhood. By 1974, at just 15 years old, France began teaching drums at the Academy of Music, a position he maintained until 1975.

Career

Australian jazz-fusion and rock beginnings

After emigrating to around 1970, Robbie France, then known professionally as Robbie France-Shaw, immersed himself in the local music scene during the mid-1970s. While living and traveling extensively across the country, he formed the jazz-fusion group around 1975, which allowed him to explore complex rhythmic structures blending with rock energy. The band performed at the Oz Jazz Festival and served as the opening act for guitarist John McLaughlin, exposing France to high-level fusion dynamics that shaped his versatile drumming approach. France's travels facilitated collaborations with prominent Australian artists, broadening his professional network and honing his adaptability in live settings. He worked as a session and touring with of , , and guitarist Tim Gaze, contributing to the vibrant rock and pop circuits of the era. A notable example was his role as for the Tim Gaze Band on the 1982 soundtrack album for the Australian surfing film of the same name, where he supported Gaze's guitar work alongside Harry Curtis and Peter Bolton. These engagements, often in high-energy tours and studio sessions, helped France develop a fluid style that integrated polyrhythms with rock drive, influenced by his mentorship under Australian musician David . During this period, France's peripatetic lifestyle across fueled his creative growth, setting the foundation for his later international career before returning to in 1982.

British rock bands and tours

After spending several years in developing his skills in jazz-fusion and , Robbie France returned to in 1982. Shortly thereafter, he joined the New Wave of British Heavy Metal band as their drummer in 1983, contributing to their third studio album , released that same year on . His tenure with the band lasted until 1985, during which he provided a solid, driving that supported the group's shift toward a more commercial sound, including performances at major festivals. In 1984, served as a session for UFO during their and comeback , temporarily replacing original member Andy Parker. He performed on the initial dates of the tour, which marked the band's return after a hiatus, delivering powerful, straightforward beats that complemented UFO's classic lineup of on vocals, Paul Gray on bass, and new guitarist Atomik Tommy M. departed in early before the group entered the studio for their next album, . France's versatility shone in his adaptation to the hard rock and scenes, drawing on his earlier jazz-fusion precision to craft dynamic, groove-oriented performances suited to high-energy live settings. In 1994, he joined the emerging band as their original drummer, infusing their raw, intense sound with a deep, rich drum tone achieved using a custom Sleishman kit during recording sessions at John Henry Studios in . He played on their debut album (1995), which captured the band's explosive energy, and co-wrote the hit single "Weak" alongside guitarist and vocalist during a spontaneous that lasted under an hour. France described the album's tracking as one of the best sessions of his career, highlighting the immediate chemistry that propelled onto major tours supporting the release. His time with the band ended in 1995.

Later international collaborations

Following his tenure with Skunk Anansie, France joined the German band as their in 1995, contributing to tours across and recording sessions that showcased his adaptability to and melodic structures. His work with highlighted a shift toward international pop contexts, where he emphasized precise rhythms to support the band's atmospheric sound until a 1997 accident interrupted his playing. In 1998, France became the drummer for the British pop band Ben's Brother, led by Jamie Hartman, touring extensively and providing percussion for their debut album Beta Male Fairytales released in 2007. This collaboration marked a continued exploration of pop genres, with France's drumming adding dynamic energy to tracks like "Let Me Out," which earned an nomination, and demonstrating his evolved approach to blending rock-influenced power with lighter, emotive grooves in contemporary settings. France also collaborated with several other international acts throughout the late 1990s and 2000s, including , , , , Rock Goddess, , and Ellis, Beggs & Howard. These engagements, along with select session work in progressive and pop projects, underscored his ability to infuse diverse musical landscapes with technical proficiency and rhythmic innovation beyond traditional rock frameworks.

Production and other roles

Record production and arranging

Robbie France co-produced Skunk Anansie's debut album (1995). His arranging contributions included co-writing the hit single "Weak," where he shaped the track's dynamic build-up and rhythmic structure alongside bandmates , Cass , and . This collaboration marked France's transition from performer to producer, leveraging his drumming expertise to emphasize punchy, groove-oriented percussion that drove the album's energy. The album was recorded at Great Linford Manor Studios. In 1998, after relocating to , France founded Pulpo Negro Records with partner Tim Oldfield, establishing it as a platform for emerging talent in Murcia's music scene. Under the label, he produced acts including Second, Renochild, and Aliens Temple, as well as Screw Coco, focusing on and genres. A key project was the compilation Catálogo 2004, released on Pulpo Negro, which showcased tracks from these artists and highlighted France's role in curating and refining their material for broader distribution. He also extended his production and arranging work to London-based artist Keke, blending and elements in her recordings.

Journalism, education, and broadcasting

In addition to his performance career, Robbie France contributed to through a monthly column in the British drumming magazine , which he began writing in 1987. His articles focused on drumming techniques, such as groove development and ensemble playing, as well as industry insights drawn from his experiences with bands like and UFO. France also established himself as a music educator, conducting international clinics from the onward, often sponsored by the . These workshops spanned locations from to , where he demonstrated advanced rudiments, integration, and session drumming strategies, attracting aspiring professionals. A notable event was a triple-headliner clinic alongside Simon Phillips and Steve White in the UK, highlighting comparative styles in and pop-rock drumming. He further supported education by establishing a studio in in the late , offering personalized lessons on and career navigation. Following his relocation to Puerto de , , in 1998, France expanded into , amassing credits in radio, television, and . He hosted shows for several radio stations, covering topics like rock history and influences. These broadcasts, active into the early 2000s, blended his musical expertise with personal anecdotes, reaching local expat and enthusiast audiences.

Later life and death

Relocation to Spain and personal projects

In 1998, Robbie France relocated from the to Puerto de in the municipality of , , primarily to pursue writing his debut novel amid a desire for a less hectic pace following decades in the music industry. This shift allowed him to embrace a coastal , where he engaged in local community activities and distanced himself from constant international . France's novel Six Degrees South was published on 7 December 2011, shortly after his 52nd birthday. The story intertwines the worlds of and , centering on a rock star whose affair with a ends tragically due to tainted drugs, prompting his tour manager and band to flee; meanwhile, in , a launch connects to a New York-based correspondent harboring a lethal secret, culminating in a chaotic convergence of the protagonists. Themes explore the excesses of sex, drugs, and , the pervasive influence of media, human mortality, and unexpected interconnections amid disorder. The book received limited critical attention, with no major reviews documented, though it reflected France's insider perspective on the music . Upon arriving in Spain, founded Pulpo Negro Records, alongside affiliated publishing and studio operations, to support projects in the region. He managed these ventures from Puerto de until 2004, focusing on local and international artists while integrating them into his evolving creative pursuits. developed a keen interest in during his time in , owning a yacht and contributing 'Cast Off' columns to Euro Weekly News about maritime life along the Murcia coast. This passion briefly informed his broadcasting work, as he hosted segments on Spanish radio stations that occasionally touched on nautical topics.

Illness and death

In early January 2012, Robbie France experienced a sudden while residing in , , where he had relocated in 1998. He was diagnosed with a ruptured , a critical condition involving the tearing of the wall of the body's largest , which can lead to severe and has a high even with prompt . France underwent emergency surgery at a local in , but complications arose during the procedure, leading to his death on January 14, 2012, at the age of 52. France's funeral was held on January 18, 2012, in , attended by family and close associates. His partner, Karen, delivered the eulogy, highlighting his roots as the youngest of three sons to and Margaret France, his close bonds with brothers David and Melvin, and his role as a devoted father to sons Toby and Ben (residing in ) and a younger son in ; she noted their recent tenth anniversary and his gentle, humorous nature. The family issued no public statement on the but received condolences from colleagues, including at the Euro Weekly News, where France had contributed as a . He was buried in Puerto de Mazarrón, in the Province of Murcia, , with arrangements handled locally following the funeral service.

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