The Jam drummer Rick Buckler dies

Rick Buckler, drummer with the mod legends The Jam has died, aged 69. The English musician died in Woking on 17 February 2025 following a brief illness, his bandmates Paul Weller and Bruce Foxton confirmed on social media.

“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!” The Jam lead singer and guitarist Weller wrote.

“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,” bassist Foxton added. “We went far beyond our dreams and what we made stands the test of time.”

Born in Woking, England in 1955, Buckler was a founding member of the band with school friend Weller in 1972. Foxton later joined and the historic line-up was complete.

After years spent covering American rock and roll songs, the band found their sound through inspiration from the Mod scene’s pivotal band The Who. The Jam signed to Polydor Records and released their debut single and album ‘In the City’ in 1977. Inspired by the rock sounds of the 60s influenced by the more contemporary faster punk aesthetic, they fit in with contemporaries The Clash and Sex Pistols.

Between 1977 and 1982, The Jam released six albums. Their short but prolific time as a band came to end after the release of their final album ‘The Gift’. During that time, they achieved 18 consecutive UK Top 40 singles with four number ones: ‘Going Underground’, ‘Start!’, ‘Town Called Malice’, and ‘Beat Surrender’.

Following the split, neither Buckler nor Foxton spoke to Weller for at least 20 years. Weller created The Style Council and later went solo. Buckler continued to form bands, including Time UK and Sharp, which included Foxton in the line-up.

Buckler worked in music production for a while before moving into a career as a carpenter and releasing several books on his famous band’s history. In 2005, Buckler went back into music with a new band The Gift, named after The Jam’s final album. Foxton joined the line-up in 2007 and they renamed themselves From the Jam.

Buckler is survived by his wife Leslie and two children Jason and Holly.