Rick Buckler, drummer of The Jam, has died aged 69

Rick Buckler, drummer of The Jam, has died aged 69 after a short illness.

In a statement, his management company said: “Rick Buckler passed away peacefully on Monday evening in Woking after a short illness with family by his side. Rick was a loving husband, father and grandfather and was a devoted friend to many, who will be greatly missed.”

Buckler is fondly remembered for being the drummer with The Jam alongside guitarist/lead vocalist Paul Weller and bass player Bruce Foxton.

On social media, verified accounts for Weller paid tribute: “I’m shocked and saddened by Rick’s passing. I’m thinking back to us all rehearsing in my bedroom in Stanley Road, Woking. To all the pubs and clubs we played at as kids, to eventually making a record. What a journey. We went far beyond our dreams and what we made stands the test of time. My deepest sympathy to all family and friends.”

Sentiments echoed by Foxton, who added: “I was shocked and devastated to hear the very sad news today. Rick was a good guy and a great drummer whose innovative drum patterns helped shape our songs. I’m glad we had the chance to work together as much as we did. My thoughts are with Leslie and his family at this very difficult time.”

Shocked And Saddened

The trio, who emerged from the UK’s punk rock scene in the 1970s, signed to Polydor in 1977 and immediately developed an ardent following with Top 40 hits such as In The City, All Around The World, Modern World, News Of The World, Down In The Tube Station At Midnight, Strange Town, The Eton Rifles and That’s Entertainment.

They achieved 18 consecutive UK Top 40 singles, four of which topped the charts: Going Underground, Start!, the double-A side Town Called Malice/Precious and Beat Surrender.

During this short but prolific period the band recorded six studio albums including In The City (1977), This Is The Modern World (1977) and the acclaimed All Mod Cons (1978),  Sound Affects (1980).

The band split in 1982 after their final album The Gift and never fully reunited. However, Foxton and Buckler subsequently played together as From The Jam. Weller went on to form the Style Council and enjoy a successful career as a solo artist.

After leaving the Jam, Buckler authored several publications on the group’s history. His autobiography, That’s Entertainment: My Life In The Jam, was published in 2015 and he was due to embark on a Q&A tour of the UK this year. Dates for the event, entitled A Night Of Memories And Music, were recently postponed due to his health issues.

He lived with his wife and had two children, Jason and Holly.

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