Devo drummer Alan Myers has died after a battle with cancer.

The rocker, the band's third and most prominent drummer, passed away on Monday (24Jun13).

News of his death was confirmed by jazz musician Ralph Carney, the uncle of The Black Keys drummer Patrick Carney.

In a post on Facebook.com, Carney writes, "I just got some bad news. Alan Myers passed... from cancer. He was Devo's best drummer and one of the first people to teach me about jazz. I cry... Alan taught me so much about music. He gave me my first sax lesson."

Drummer Josh Freese, who has also played with Devo, tweeted, "RIP Alan Myers. 1 of my all time favs (favourites). An underrated/brilliant drummer. Such an honor playing his parts w/ (with) Devo. Godspeed Human Metronome."

Myers performed with Devo from 1976 to 1986 and is heard on the group's classic 1980 single Whip It.