Tom Meighan: A brief history of the former Kasabian singer's career
The news of his departure was announced in July 2020
Last updated 27th Oct 2021
Fans were left in total shock when Kasabian announced that Tom Meighan was leaving the band after 23 years, on 6th July 2020. The Leicester-born singer, who formed the band with Serge Pizzorno, Chris Karloff and Chris Edwards in 1997, was revealed to have left the band in a statement posted on social media.
It read: 'Tom Meighan is stepping down from Kasabian by mutual consent. Tom has struggled with personal issues that have affected his behaviour for quite some time and now wants to concentrate all his energies on getting his life back on track. We will not be commenting further.'
What has Tom Meighan said about leaving Kasabian?
Tom himself addressed the news later on in the day with a message on Twitter, writing: 'Following today's announcement I just wanted to let you all know that I am doing well. I'm in a really good place now. Thanks for all your love and support. I'll be seeing you all very soon. TM x.'
Although fans have been left pretty upset by the news, there's still hope as Kasabian are set to release a seventh album some time soon, with Tom also set to release solo music. We've taken a look back at his career right here...
Who is Tom Meighan?
Tom Meighan is the former lead singer of Kasabian and was a founding member of the band since 1997. He stepped down in 2020 to 'focus on personal issues'.
Tom is from Leicester, and is an avid supporter of Leicester City FC. His birthday is 11th January 1981, making him currently aged 40-years-old.
Why did Tom Meighan leave Kasabian?
Kasabian released the above statement on 6th July 2020, announcing that Tom was leaving for 'personal issues' so that he could get his 'life back on track', adding that they wouldn't be commenting further.
One day after Kasabian announced the news, Tom pleaded guilty to assaulting his fiancee Vikki Ager, while drunk earlier in April that year. After all legal proceedings had concluded, the band released a statement revealing that they had asked Tom to leave the band, explaining that they could no longer work with him due to his actions.
Within the lengthy statement, Kasabian said: 'There is absolutely no way we can condone his assault conviction.
'Domestic violence and abuse of any kind is totally unacceptable.'
Tom Meighan was ordered to 200 hours of community service, and released a statement saying: "I would like to make a statement about recent events and publicly apologise to my partner Vikki, my bandmates, my friends, family and fans. I am very sorry and deeply regret my recent behaviour. In no way am I trying to condone my actions or make excuses. I am completely to blame and accept my responsibility."
He continued: "The incident in April was a wake-up call for me, for who I was, and what I was becoming. I was spiralling out of control. My mental health was becoming more and more unstable and I was at breaking point."
One year after Tom pleaded guilty to the assault, he and Vikki married on 13th July 2021.
Tom Meighan's solo work
Aside from Kasabian, Tom began a music project with rapper Wottee Watnot (real name Andrew Wattie) called Mic Rockers, describing themselves as a 'a hip hop/rock collaboration'.
He also spoke out in June 2020 about working on 'autobiographical' solo songs, telling Sky News that the songs are like "a diary," adding: "I'm writing loads of music at the minute. We'll see what happens. I've got a few cookies in the jar... and they're not bad, you know.
"It's very autobiographical, like the story of my life. It's kind of... heartbreaking. Well, not heartbreaking, just to the core, you know. Very real. I'm logging my life, like a diary. I think (the songs) are all right. We'll see what happens."
On 13th October 2021, Tom teased a new solo track titled 'Would You Mind'. In the short clip, fans can her a snippet of his vocals, along with a melodic tune and scenes of Tom looking emotional as he records the track.
Tom wrote: 'It’s no secret that I’ve been struggling for the last few years. Music is my therapy and I have have been recording some songs that I now feel ready to share.
'This is taken from ‘Would You Mind,’ that I wrote about asking for help when you need it the most but can’t find the courage to ask. Your support has kept me going and I can’t wait to get more music to you. Love to you with all my heart, Tom xxx'.
Two weeks later, Tom revealed that the track was set to be released on 29th October 2021.
Scroll through to see some of our favourite Tom Meighan moments through the years:
Tom Meighan in 2004
Kasabian's Tom Meighan performing at Glastonbury 2004.
Kasabian in 2004
Kasabian pose at a studio session at The Plaggey Bag Ranch in Leicester on January 28, 2004.
Kasabian's Tom Meighan in 2005
Tom Meighan of Kasabian at Zilker Park as part of the Austin City Limits Music Festival on 23rd September 2005.
Kasabian's Tom Meighan in 2007
Kasabian's Tom Meighan performing at Somerset House, London in summer 2007.
Kasabian in session for Absolute Radio, 2009
Kasabian in session for Absolute Radio, 2009
Kasabian backstage at V Festival 2010
Kasabian performing at V Festival 2010
Kasabian's Tom Meighan in 2011
Kasabian frontman Tom Meighan on stage at The O2, London in 2011
Kasabian at The Box in 2012
Kasabian's Tom Meighan in 2012
Kasabian singer Tom Meighan on stage at London O2 Brixton Academy in 2012.
Kasabian's Tom Meighan in 2012
Kasabian's Tom Meighan at Reading Festival in 2012.
Kasabian performing at Hard Rock Calling in 2013
Kasabian's Tom Meighan in 2014
Tom Meighan performing with Kasabian at Manchester Arena in December 2014.
Kasabian performing at Mode with Shelter in 2014
Kasabian performing at Mode with Shelter in 2014
Kasabian in 2016
Kasabian's Tom Meighan and Sergio Pizzorno perform during the Leicester City Barclays Premier League winners bus parade on 16th May 2016.
Kasabian's Tom Meighan in 2017
Kasabian in 2018
Kasabian perform at The Royal Albert Hall in London in March 2018.
Kasabian's Tom Meighan in 2018
Tom Meighan on stage with Kasabian at Edinburgh Summer Sessions in August 2018. It proved to be his third-to-last UK show with Kasabian.
Tom marries Vikki Ager in 2021
In July 2020 it was announced that Tom had left Kasabian due to 'personal issues', with the singer pleading guilty the following day to assaulting his fiancee Vikki Ager.
One year later, Tom and Vikki married on Tuesday 13th July 2021!
Tom Meighan solo music in 2021
After previously teasing that he was working on new music, likening his songs to "a diary", Tom confirmed in October 2021 that he had solo music on the way.
Tom teased: ''I've been in the studio, doing what I love and there will be more news to come very soon." Just days later he released a clip of his upcoming track 'Would You Mind', later revealing that the song will be released on 29th October.
You can hear Kasabian on the Absolute Radio playlist.