It is with immense sadness that I share the passing of my brother, Kevin Meynell, who lost his brave battle with cancer. Kevin leaves behind his beloved wife, three daughters, and two grandchildren—a devoted family man who cherished every moment with them.
For nearly 50 years, Kevin was the heartbeat of Squire. Many of you met him, heard him play, and saw his passion firsthand. He was not just my baby brother—we had been playing music together since we were toddlers—but the soul and driving force of the band. When others suddenly quit early on, Kevin stepped in and saved the band, transforming our rough-and-ready sound into a polished outfit that secured us a record deal and instantly earned us a Radio 1 Record of the Week with "Walking Down The Kings Road", cementing Squire's place in music history.
Kevin's musical knowledge was vast, his understanding of dynamics exemplary, and his enthusiasm unmatched. From banging on biscuit tins as a toddler to taking lessons with Jet Black of The Stranglers, Kevin honed his natural talent to become a true drummer's drummer. By 1980, Squire had become just the two of us, and his loyalty, passion, and pride never wavered. He never left, never grew tired, and never wanted to play with anyone else.
Even when he became too ill to perform in recent years, his love for music and his connection to the band remained steadfast. He dreamed of getting back on stage, and though we didn't realise at the time, his last gig—a fitting farewell—was at the iconic 100 Club, followed by The Cavern in Liverpool, his favourite venues.
Kevin was more than a drummer. He was a craftsman, constantly tinkering with his collection of vintage kits, swapping stories with other drummers, and sharing his deep love of music. His attention to detail astounded me—like the time he revealed that the tom rolls in "It's a Mod Mod World" were inspired by The Searchers' "Needles and Pins". Listen to any Squire record and you'll hear how his distinctive style and musical instincts shaped our sound.
Our shared story is woven through so many Squire songs—"The Place I Used to Live", "Walking Down the King's Road", and more. In those songs, you'll find echoes of the life we lived, the music we loved, and the bond we shared.
In his final days, Kevin seemed more concerned about the fate of his drums than his own declining health! That says everything about who he was. He wanted to be remembered as a drummer—a brilliant one—and he will be. For me, for the band, and for everyone who saw him play, he is simply irreplaceable.
Thank you, Kevin, for the music, the memories, and the love. You will forever be the heartbeat of Squire. My baby brother, never forgotten.
Anthony