Rick Buckler dead aged 69: The Jam drummer dies after short illness as Paul Weller & Bruce Foxton lead tributes
Rick formed another band after his time with The Jam
THE Jam drummer Rick Buckler has died at the age of 69 after a short illness.
Rick was the drummer for the iconic band from its formation in the early 1970s through to its break up in the early 1980s.
Rick is survived by his wife Lesley and their two children Jason and Holly.
His bandmates Paul Weller and Bruce Foxton confirmed the sad news in separate tributes.
Weller wrote: “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 – P.W x.”
Bruce 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.”
The Jam had four UK number one singles and one UK number one album.
They are best known for hit songs Town Called Malice, Going Underground and Down In The Tube Station At Midnight.
The band split in 1982 and had never fully reunited, but Foxton and Buckler have played together on a number of occasions.
A statement from his management company read: “Rick Buckler, best known as the legendary drummer of The Jam, 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.
“His family have asked for privacy and respect during this time. Formed in 1972 in Woking, Surrey, the powerhouse three-piece comprised of singer, guitarist Paul Weller and drummer Rick Buckler and later bassist Bruce Foxton.
“The Jam had 18 consecutive UK Top 40 singles from their debut in 1977 to their break-up in December 1982, including four number one hits.
“Rick was also successful with other avenues following The Jam which included furniture design and restoration, writing a number of books and keeping a strong relationship with his fans through his Q&As.”
It comes after legendary musician Rick had been forced to cancel his recent Q&A tour due to “ongoing health issues”.
On February 1 his team posted a message about the cancellation on Facebook.
Also paying tribute was ska group The Bodysnatchers’ lead singer Rhoda Dakar, whose band shot to prominence in London at about the same time as The Jam.
In a post on Instagram she said: “A band is only as good as its drummer. So I would say he was a bloody good one.
“My sincere condolences to his family and friends. Don’t waste a day people – tomorrow isn’t promised.”
They had 18 consecutive UK top 40 singles, including four number ones, and also had a UK number one album – The Gift.
The Jam are best remembered for tracks such as Town Called Malice, Going Underground, and Down In The Tube Station At Midnight.
After The Jam, Rick formed Time UK with Jimmy Edwards, Ray Simone, Danny Kustow, and the bassist Nick South.
But after two years and three singles, they folded, at which point he forged a new alliance with Foxton and Edwards to create Sharp.
By the end of the 80s, with the band splitting, he had became more exclusively involved in production at a studio in Islington before leaving the scene altogether the following decade.
There was a return to live music in 2005 when he set up the Gift to play Jam material on tours around the UK, with Russell Hastings on vocals and guitar and Dave Moore on bass.
The band later toured as From the Jam with Foxton and Buckler reuniting and playing together on a number of occasions.
Buckler toured with the band from 2007 to 2009 before leaving.
From 2009 onwards, Rick performed occasionally as a drummer, as well as working in music management.
He had several books published about his time in The Jam and his autobiography, That’s Entertainment: My Life in The Jam, was published in 2015.
Most recently, The Jam 1982 with Zoe Howe, was published which he promoted at the 2022 Louder Than Words Event.
