By TOM COTTERILL Published: 06:56 EST, 8 November 2024 | Updated: 07:18 EST, 8 November 2024

The son of legendary British rocker and The Who drummer Kenney Jones has died, leaving the devastated music star with a ‘broken heart’. Kenney, who is the only surviving member of 1960s hitmakers The Small Faces and replaced Keith Moon as The Who’s drummer in 1978, announced the news on Thursday. The tragedy is the latest to hit Kenney, who has suffered the loss of bandmates, Steve Marriott, Ronnie Lane and Ian McLagan from The Small Faces, and John Entwistle from The Who, who died in 2002, aged 57. Posting about his son’s death on Facebook, the 76-year-old said: ‘It is with a broken heart that I share the devastating news that my son Jesse has passed.’I don’t have the words right now to fully express how I am feeling. But I want to thank you all for your kind wishes at this indescribably painful time and ask for continued love, respect and privacy as we try to navigate this profound loss as a family.’It’s not known how Jesse, believed to be a DJ and father, died. However, tributes have poured out on social media in memory of the ‘beautiful soul’ and ‘colourful character’.  Jesse Jones (pictured), the son legendary British rocker and The Who drummer Kenney Jones, has died Kenney and Jesse are pictured together in a photo shared by The Who drummer on Facebook  Kenney Jones (centre) is pictured with his rock pals Ronnie Wood (left) and Sir Rod Stewart (right) at the BRIT Awards in 2020 ‘The world is a little less bright without Jess. He was a beautiful soul and loved by many. Condolences to all family and friends, RIP Jess,’ wrote Sally McNally on Facebook. Bubs Read was left gobsmacked by the shock news, writing: ‘I’m utterly saddened by this Kenney. Jesse was one of life’s colourful characters, the world will be less without him. ‘My thoughts and love remain with you and the family through this dreadful time.’Jesse was due to perform a DJ set in north London tomorrow evening. Announcing his son’s death, Kenney posted a touching image of the pair of them wearing shirts and smiling. Kenney fathered six children from his two marriages. He owns and runs Hurtwood Park polo club in Surrey where he hosts events at which his all star band THE JONES GANG play. They sometimes include Kenney’s close friend Sir Rod Stewart with whom he was in The Faces. Kenney’s other rock star pals include Ronnie Wood of The Rolling Stones, Mike Rutherford of Genesis, and Stewart Copeland of The Police. He joined The Who following the death of the band’s former drummer, Keith Moon. 

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Son of The Who and Small Faces drummer Kenney Jones dies: Devastated rocker says he has ‘broken heart’ as tributes flood in