Longtime Robert Plant drummer Michael Lee has died at the age of 39. The cause of his death is presently unknown.

The drummer was born Michael Gary Pearson and quickly developed a fast, precise and aggressive performance style not unlike Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham. Lee scored a post in Plant’s solo band in time for 1993’s Fate of Nations album and stayed with the Led Zeppelin singer when he reunited with Jimmy Page in 1994. The drummer toured extensively with paired performances and appears on both Page & Plant's offiicial albums: 1994’s No Quarter: Jimmy Page and Robert Plant Unledded and 1998’s Walking into Clarksdale.

In addition, Lee played drums with a number of hard rock and influential indie bands, including Echo & The Bunnymen, Thin Lizzy, Little Angels and The Cult. In addition, he had a successful career playing drums in accompanying band for several theatrical performances.

Most recently, Robert Plant toured with Alison Krauss in support of their collaborative effort Raising Sand. According to reports, Plant plans to enter the studio to record another album with Krauss and will appear on original Fairport Convention singer Judy Dyble’s next release. The Led Zeppelin singer recently appeared at Fairport Convention’s annual festival. He will not participate in Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones’ long-rumored upcoming tour.