Born in Darlington, Lee started his professional career as drummer with Little Angels, a band from Scarborough who became one of the primary British rock acts of the early 1990s.
Lee was replaced in Little Angels during their Young Gods tour by Mark Richardson, after it was discovered he had auditioned for the Cult behind their backs.
Ultimately, it would be his work with Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant that garnered him the highest profile.
Similarly to Led Zeppelin's John Bonham, Lee used large drum sizes, something he attributed to his 6'5" height.
His funeral took place the following week in his hometown of Darlington, and was attended by former bandmates Toby Jepson and Jimmy Page.