Heavy metal lost an important name on Jan. 14 when former Diamond Head drummer Robbie France passed away at the age of 52. Born in Sheffield, England, Robbie France moved to Australia and studied at the National Academy of Rudimentary Drummers of Australia until 1974, when he began teaching his own students at the Australian Academy of Music at the young age of 15.
France played on Diamond Head's third album 'Canterbury,' which included the hit single 'Makin' Music' and remained with the band until creative differences broke them up in the mid-80s. France also played in the influential heavy metal band UFO throughout 1985.