News

School Of Rock drummer Kevin Clark has died

He played powerhouse kid drummer Freddy “Spazzy McGee” Jones in the 2003 Jack Black comedy...

School Of Rock drummer Kevin Clark has died
Words:
Nick Ruskell

Kevin Clark, the musician who played drummer Freddy "Spazzy McGee" Jones in the 2003 Jack Black movie School Of Rock, has died after being hit by a car while biking in his Chicago hometown on Wednesday night. He was 32.

Kevin was 12 years old when he appeared in the movie next to the Tenacious D frontman, about a music-mad teacher who instructs his pupils in the ways of rock and leads them to victory in the school battle of the bands. Despite his age, and having never acted before, he put in a brilliant performance thanks to his formidable talent behind the kit.

“Devastating news. Kevin is gone. Way too soon,” wrote Jack on Instagram, alongside photos of the pair together. “Beautiful soul. So many great memories. Heartbroken. Sending love to his family and the whole School of Rock community.”

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“He’s just a raw talent. He’s got a heart of gold,” said Kevin’s mother Allison to The Chicago Sun-Times. “He just kind of shined [in School Of Rock]. He took it on right away.”

His School Of Rock co-star Rivkah Reyes also paid tribute, saying, “I’m absolutely heartbroken. Kev was my first friend on set. We instantly connected over being Jews from Chicago.

“He introduced me to Green Day and was the catalyst for my pop punk phase (which hasn’t ended),” she continued. “He was always supportive of me and my endeavors. His family would often come to my comedy shows and plays, and every time Tenacious D was in town, we would go together. We would sometimes run into each other randomly in Chicago and he always gave me the biggest, warmest hugs.”

Though it would be Kevin’s only movie role, he continued to play the drums in various Chicago bands. His most recent, Jess Bess And The Intentions, played their first gig this past weekend.

Check out his performance in School Of Rock below.

Kerrang! would like to send our condolences to Kevin's family and friends at this time.

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