Rick Buckler, Drummer for The Jam, Dies at 69

Rick Buckler, a longtime rocker best known as the drummer for legendary band The Jam, has died. He was 69 years old.

The news of his death was announced on X via a heartfelt message from his bandmate Paul Weller.

“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 band’s vocalist Weller wrote alongside a series of black-and-white photos of Buckler. “We went far beyond our dreams and what we made stands the test of time. … 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 [Rick’s wife Lesley] and his family at this very difficult time.”

While no cause of death has been revealed, the news comes two weeks after Buckler canceled a spoken-word tour due to ongoing health issues, per TMZ.

The English rock band was formed in 1972 in Woking, Surrey. Buckler was in the original lineup as drummer, and the group released their debut single “In the City” in 1977, and released their debut album of the same name that same year. The band made waves via their political statements, rising up against police brutality, the British government and beyond.

Overall, the group released six albums, their final project being 1982’s The Gift, which peaked at No. 82 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. After a world tour in support of the album, the group disbanded due to a decision from Weller.

After his time in The Jam, Buckler formed Time UK with Jimmy Edwards and Ray Simone, and later formed a new The Jam tribute band called The Gift.