English drummer and educator, Colin Woolway, passed away three days ago, on the 26th of September 2026, at 67.
His 20-year performance career (spanning from 1976 to 1996) was defined heavily by live international touring, West End theatre pit productions, and regional jazz/cabaret work. His most high-profile credit was eight years touring the world as Suzi Quatro’s permanent live drummer, playing massive stadium tours and international festivals.
Woolway spent a significant portion of his performance career playing live percussion and drum kits for major UK theatre productions and West End tours, notably: The Mr. Men Musical (1985) – credited for live drums and percussion, The Rocky Horror Show, Jesus Christ Superstar, Godspell, Hello, Dolly!. He was also active one the UK scene doing jazz residencies, cabaret and variety shows.
He spent the last 20 years of his career as a prominent drum teacher, educator, clinician, and founder of the Drumsense program. He also secured endorsements with major manufacturers: Zildjian cymbals, British Drum Co, Sonor (prior to joining BDC), Vic Firth, Roland, and Code Drumheads.
Tributes started pouring in immediately:
Suzi Quatro: My ex drummer and good friend, Colin Woolway (Ant), for many, many years has passed away. He survived against all odds through many gruelling treatments for cancer, but in the end, he lost the fight. We were all expecting this news, but it doesn’t make it any easier when it comes. Now playing with that ‘beautiful band’ in the sky. R.I.P my friend, you were one of the good ones. Love and deepest sympathy to Lucy [wife] and their boys.
Russel Gilbrook: Oh so sad to hear about the passing of one of my oldest friends and great drummer Colin Woolway. Love you mate xx
Keith Keough (founder of British Drum Co.): Absolutely gutted to hear the sad news about Colin Woolway. Drummer for Suzi Quattro, and later one of the UK’s great drum educators and founder of Drum Sense. A sad loss to the drumming community. R.I.P Colin
Darby Todd: It’s a very sad day to know we have lost drumming legend Colin Woolway. He did so much for the drumming community in the UK and was instrumental in making me the player I am today. I started taking lessons with him at Rockbottom music store in Croydon at the age of 11! I’m so glad myself and Vince Dunne were able to visit him at the start of the week. […] Love to his family and everyone else that feels the loss. I still have a bunch of cool chops I stole from Colin and they will continue to be played in his memory.
Ash Soan: So sorry to hear the news of Colin Woolway passing. Always a smile on his face, an inspiring teacher who had a huge passion for the UK drum scene. I’ll always be thankful for his support. Sending love to his family and everyone who knew him.
Gabor Dornyei: My Dearest & Oldest Friend in the UK! I’m devastated and completely heartbroken to write these words…I’m (no longer) fighting my tears.. I’m done…A Great Drummer, a Phenomenal-Leading Educator and a Wonderful-FUNNY Friend! YOU were the very first person to give me an opportunity in London when I relocated very nearly 20 years ago. You gave me hope, which was everything at the time… Since then we’ve been through numerous drum shows & big drumming events, but the most special ones for me were when You visited us for a dinner and taught my son how to kick a ball with the inside of his foot (in yellow wellington boots of course;), when You came supportively to the opening of my business Harrow Drum School with Jerome Marcus (in 2018) and most recently when we had the pleasure to be welcomed to our mutual hero, the greatest who ever done it, Billy Cobham’s dressing room at Ronnie Scotts. I will NEVER forget you & I LOVE YOU My Dear Friend and May God Bless You and Your Wonderful Family! RIP Colin
Rick Latham: Very sad to hear of the passing of my Friend and Drum Brother, Colin Woolway. Colin had a huge impact on the Drumming scene in the UK through his teaching and Drumsense studios around the country as well as being a great player himself for his time with Rocker Suzi Quatro and others. My heartfelt condolences to his loving family. Rest In Peace my friend
British Drum Co: Saying Goodbye…. It is with great sadness that we share the news that Colin Woolway, the tremendous drummer, educator and family man – who was also one of our earliest endorsers and most valued BDC family members – has left this world after several years of bravely battling illness.
Though twenty years of touring the world, including eight as a member of Suzi Quatro’s band put him in the spotlight, it was behind the scenes, in teaching studios (including many years at Rockbottom), at drum clinics and via his Drumsense books and videos as well as Teasers and Getting Started tutorial features in the likes of Rhythm Magazine where he gained his reputation as one of the UK’s finest and most popular educators.
Colin was also an active supporter of the music scene, attending drum shows and gigs and sitting in at jams. He also had friends in high places. Whenever Billy Cobham played Ronnie Scott’s, Colin was there, having a chat with the king of modern drumming. Yes, he was the ‘man about town’ when it came to the drumming community.
Quiet, but with a witty sense of humour and a ready smile, Colin was forever true to himself. Despite his elevated stature within the drum community, Colin was happy to see and support others rather than seeking the spotlight for himself. We liked that about him – he was a giver, not a taker. He was totally real.
Indeed, those seeing his Facebook posts will recognise that his positivity and sense of humour – that sense of self – shone through until the very end. We are so sorry to see Colin Woolway go. But let us all remember him as a good man who made it his mission to help others realise their own talents and be happy within themselves, like he was within himself.
We send our condolences to Colin’s wife Lucy and sons Silas, Fin and Pip, as well as family and friends of a man who made such a difference to the lives of so many.
The UK Drum Show: The UK Drum Show sends its deepest condolences to the friends and family of Colin Woolway who has sadly passed away. Drummer, educator, author, long-term contributor of Rhythm Magazine and regular visitor to The UK Drum Show, you will be dearly missed by all that had the privilege to have known you. RIP.
