FOR Paul Mayhew the achievements of his well-known younger brother are a source of family pride.

FOR Paul Mayhew the achievements of his well-known younger brother are a source of family pride.

John Mayhew was a drummer with rock band Genesis, he has travelled the world, he has made his mark in the world of music and his name is known by thousands of fans.

But Paul hasn't seen his brother for decades and there is a sadness about this fact the 71-year-old can no longer hide.

Today Paul, of Roundwood Road, Ipswich, is speaking for the first time of his hopes to heal a family rift that sent him and his brother on their separate ways.

He said: “I am ten years older than John. We grew up in Shackleton Square and I went to Copleston School. The family later moved to Macaulay Road.

“John started his music career playing with a band in the Plough Pub, in Dogs Head Street. They were very, very popular. The love of music came from our mother's side of the family. I like my music as well.”

As he sites in his comfortable flat with his wife Glennis looking at old pictures of his brother and books and articles charting his life, Paul talks about how the pair simply drifted apart.

He said: “I was in my 20s when we lost touch. Our parents split up and I went with our mother and John went with our dad. I saw less of him.”

In his late teens John began to build up his career drumming for a number of bands.

Paul said: “He moved to London and he was with Genesis from about 1969 to 1971. At the time I didn't really know what he was doing but I eventually found out what he was up to.”

Paul said the rift in the family deeply upset their mother.

He said: “I last spoke to my brother 17 or 18 years ago when he came over when our mother wasn't very well. She died in 1998. He didn't come to her funeral. If he has been back to Ipswich he has come and gone and I haven't heard about it.”

Today Paul is appealing for information about his brother.

He said: “I'm not getting any younger. It would be nice to see him or hear from him. I'm 72 in December and he is my blood brother. There was no argument we just drifted apart.”

The last Paul heard John was living in New Zealand.

He said: “There's so much I don't know. I don't know if he married or has children. I have no other brothers or sisters and I want to make my peace with him. I can't carry on like this. I'd like to write him a letter or have a telephone call from him. ”

If you can help Mr Mayhew or know how to get in touch with John please call Mr Mayhew on 01473 274969.

Do you remember the Mayhew family? Are you a fan of Genesis? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

John Mayhew was the third drummer (percussion, vocals) for Genesis.

He replaced previous drummer, John Silver, in August 1969 .

He appears on the album Trespass as well as the Genesis Archive 1967-77.

John was replaced in 1970 by Phil Collins.

It was later reported John moved to Australia where he worked as a carpenter.

In 2006, he attended the Genesis Convention in London.