Rick Buckler will be "greatly missed" - All we know about The Jam drummer's death

It has been announced that former The Jam drummer Rick Buckler has passed away due to an unspecified illness. The iconic percussionist anchored The Jam for a decade and was the driving force behind many of their biggest hits. In recent news, Buckler was forced to cancel a spoken-word tour of the UK due to underlying health issues.

His death was confirmed by former bandmates Paul Weller and Bruce Foxton and their family, who took to Weller’s social media accounts with some words about their former bandmate in a succession of tweets on X as well as a post on Instagram.

“(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."

"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!" - PW

As of this moment, the exact illness that took the esteemed drummer is unknown, but his family shared a statement regarding his passing via social media as well.

"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."- BF

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The Jam - A Brief History

The Jam was established in 1972 while the members were in high school. They began by covering some of their favorite artists, before moving to their own modern punk sound as they grew as musicians. The Jam put out a total of six albums in the decade they were together and were met with almost universal praise.

The band enjoyed 18 consecutive UK Top 40 singles from their official chart debut in 1977 to their breakup five years later in 1982. Their biggest hits included tracks like ‘In the City,' ‘Going Underground,’ and ‘Town Called Malice,’ which all reached the top spot on the charts.

Buckler later founded several other bands including Time UK and Sharp after The Jam broke up, before he unceremoniously left the music industry entirely in the mid 90’s to become a carpenter. Buckler and former band mate Foxton also played together in a successor band, From the Jam, while Weller continued his career with the Style Council and as a solo artist.

Rhoda Dakar, lead singer of aka group The Bodysnatchers, which began to pop alongside The Jam, also paid tribute to the fallen Buckler.

"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."