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Sep 04, 2009 By Kyle Lemmon

According to BBC News, NME and Isle of Man Today, the 53 year-old Bristol musician Jake Drake-Brockman, died at 53 Tuesday; leaving behind a family and wife. He’s mostly remembered as the recorded and live keyboardist for the seminal post punk Liverpudlian group Echo and the Bunnymen. Though he’s played with the band off and on throughout the ‘80s he became a full-time member in 1989 and was lovingly known as “the fifth Bunnyman” by fans. News reports are saying the noted U.K. musician died when his motorcycle collided with a converted ambulance near Kirk Michael on Tuesday.

Brockman was airlifted to Noble’s Hospital, but passed away from injuries soon thereafter. The driver of the ambulance was not hurt. The Bunnymen had a new album, The Fountain, on October 12th. It remains to be seen whether the release will be pushed back or the scheduled tour will be canceled.

“Jake was one of the most gentle, funny and genuine men you could ask to ever meet,” Peter Allen, the webmaster for the band’s official site website, told IOM Today. “He played on most of the band’s biggest hits and toured with the band from the early ‘80s. He will be hugely missed not just by the band, but by thousands of fans who met him over the years.” The band’s website simply states these words in memorium, “Our thoughts are with his wife, family and friends. Love Ian, Will, Les, Peasy, Pete, Peter & all his fans.”

When Brockman wasn’t working with The Bunnymen he co-fronted the dance duo BOM with Spiritualized’s Damon Reece. He also worked extensively as a sound recordist for the BBC’s natural history unit. Though music was central to Brockman’s life, his wife also stated that he enjoyed sailing, despite his inclination towards seasickness.

The fifth Bunnyman was born in Borneo and studied at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. In a statement, his family and wife Sally Mundy said, “Jake was always a classic bike enthusiast, he loved sailing thought he was invariably seasick ... Music was central to Jake’s life.”

In 1989, original Bunnymen drummer Pete de Freitas, 27, also passed away from a motorcycling accident, when he was traveling from Liverpool to London. BBC News reported that “Investigations into the crash are continuing.” Our condolences go out to Brockman’s family and friends. R.I.P. Jake.

(www.bunnymen.com/UKLIVE.htm)