The Jam drummer Rick Buckler has died aged 69, his former bandmate Paul Weller has confirmed.
Buckler played for the rock band from its formation in 1972 until they broke up a decade later, alongside bass player Bruce Foxton and lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist Weller.
The Jam released six studio albums and Buckler played on them all, including the critically-acclaimed All Mod Cons (1978) and Sound Affects (1980).
Rick Buckler in 1979. Pic: Steve Joester/Shutterstock
The Jam performing in London in 1979. Pic: Ian Dickson/Shutterstock
They enjoyed four UK number one singles and one UK number one album, and are best remembered for tracks such as Town Called Malice, Going Underground, and Down In The Tube Station At Midnight.
The band split in 1982 and never fully reunited, but Foxton and Buckler subsequently played together on a number of occasions as From The Jam.
In a Facebook and Instagram post, Weller said: “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”
Weller also shared a tribute from Foxton on the account, in which he said he “was shocked and devastated to hear the sad news”.
He said Buckler 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.”
Buckler was born in Woking in Surrey and attended Sheerwater Secondary School, where he met Weller and Foxton, according to multiple reports.
The trio formed The Jam in 1972 when they were all still teenagers and released their first single, In The City, in 1977.
By the time they split, they were one of the biggest bands in the UK and several of their hits re-entered the UK singles chart, reflecting their popularity at the time.
The Jam – Paul Weller (L), Rick Buckler (C) and Bruce Foxton appearing on ITV’s So it Goes in 1977. Pic: ITV/Shutterstock
Weller and Buckler reportedly never spoke again barring a brief interaction, with the singer going on to form The Style Council after the dissolution of The Jam.
Post-Jam career
Buckler formed a number of groups including Time UK, Sharp, which also featured Foxton, and The Gift, named after The Jam’s last studio album and playing music from the band’s back catalogue.
Buckler toured with From The Jam, a new band playing covers of his first group, from 2007 to 2009, where he was joined by Foxton, who is still touring with the group.
The drummer lived with his wife, with whom he had two children, Jason and Holly.
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He also wrote a number of books on the history of The Jam, along with his own autobiography That’s Entertainment: My Life In The Jam, which was released in 2015.
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