This year hasn't been kind to the music world, with so many important artistes taken from us. Earlier this week it all got far too close to home, when we lost a musical hero that was also friend.

At the age of just 44, Inspiral Carpets drummer Craig Gill, known to fans all over the world as Gilly, was taken from us. I say Inspiral Carpets drummer, but he was so much more than that. Born in Salford in 1971, at the age of just 14 he found fame with his band Inspiral Carpets, alongside Graham Lambert, Martyn Walsh, Clint Boon and Stephen Holt / Tom Hingley. Hits such as 'This is how it feels' Dragging me Down' 'Saturn 5' 'Joe' and 'She Comes in the fall' made the Oldham based band one of the biggest and most important bands in Manchester music history.

Craig Gill has left a huge gap in the music world, one that perhaps even he wouldn't have expected. He was respected by the biggest bands in the world, with the likes of Liam Gallagher and Ian Brown sending messages of condolences, but also by the many up and coming bands he supported. Gilly was a drummer, a DJ, a historian, but most importantly a husband to Rose, a father to Georgia, Orla and Levon, and a great friend to many.

All proceeds will be donated to Craig's family.

RIP Gilly, we miss you X