Devo Drummer Alan Myers Loses Battle with Cancer, Band Members Pay Homage to 'Human Metronome' on Twitter

Devo Drummer and "human metronome" Alan Myers has died. The third and most famous drummer for the alternative rock group lost his battle with cancer yesterday (June 25).

As per Rolling Stone, Myers' friend and Black Keys' drummer's uncle Ralph Carney was the first to break the news of the death on his Facebook page. "I just got some bad news. Alan Myers passed yesterday from cancer. He was Devo's best drummer and one of the first people to teach me about jazz. I cry..." he wrote. The two shared the same hometown of Akron, Ohio.

Myers death was confirmed once again by current Devo founder Gerald Casale who wrote on his Twitter, "In praise of Alan Myers, the most incredible drummer I had the privilege to play with for 10 years. Losing him was like losing an arm. RIP!!"

Myers drummed in Devo from 1976 to 1985. This included playing on the band's biggest hit, 1980's "Whip It." Myers appears in the video. Watch below:

Myers left Devo citing creative differences in '85. Casale addressed Myers' departure from the band via his Twitter, proving there was no bad blood between the two.

"RE: Alan Myers. I begged him not to quit Devo. He could not tolerate being replaces by the Fairlight and autocratic machine music. I agreed," he wrote. "Alan, you were the best - a human metronome and then some. A once in a lifetime find thanks to Bob Mothersbaugh. U were born to drum Devo!"

The influence of Myers was huge on Devo's sound. The group's current drummer, Josh Freese also paid homage to Myers online. "RIP Alan Myers. 1 of my all time favs. An underrated/brilliant drummer. Such an honor playing his parts w/Devo. Godspeed Human Metronome."