Jimmy ‘The Rev’ Sullivan, who died on 28 December, 2009, aged just 28, was best known as the drummer for Californian rock band Avenged Sevenfold.

As well as the drums, he played the guitar and piano, was an occasional songwriter for the group and also sang backing vocals.

He was one of the original high school friends who formed the seminal heavy metal band in 1999. They went on to sign for Warner Bros. and make the million selling albums City of Evil (2005) and Avenged Sevenfold (2007).

As well as Avenged Sevenfold, who took their name from a Biblical phrase and used pseudonyms inspired by religion (hence ‘The Rev’), Sullivan sang lead vocals for the Sevenfold side project Pinkly Smooth.

He was also a one-time drummer in ska band Suburban Legends in his pre-Avenged Sevenfold days.