The renowned English new wave band The Jam’s drummer, Rick Buckler, passed away at the age of 69. His old bandmates shared emotional tributes about their time together, confirming the terrible news.
Frontman Paul Weller reflected on their early days: “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.”
Bassist Bruce Foxton also paid tribute, saying:
“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.”
Although the cause of death hasn’t been released, Buckler had recently canceled a series of spoken word tour dates due to “ongoing health issues.”
The Jam’s Rise to Fame
Buckler, who was born in 1955 in Woking, England, first got to know Weller and Foxton at Sheerwater Secondary School. Before creating their own distinctive style, the group began by performing covers of American rock classics.
“In the City,” their debut single, became a U.K. Top 40 hit, beginning a run of achievements. The Jam achieved 18 consecutive Top 40 songs in the UK over five years, including four No. 1 hits: “Start! (1980), “Beat Surrender” (1982), and “Town Called Malice” (1982). Six studio albums were also issued by them.
The Jam never quite made it into the U.S. market, despite being huge in the U.K. “Town Called Malice,” their biggest American hit, peaked at number 31 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.
Weller surprised fans in October 1982 when he announced the band’s breakup. That year’s December 11th was their last performance.
Life After The Jam
Following the breakup of The Jam, Buckler started a new band called Time UK, which put out three singles before breaking up. Later, he operated his own recording studio before quitting the music business to pursue a career as a carpenter.
Buckler made a comeback to the stage in 2005 with a band called The Gift, which was inspired by The Jam’s last album. They changed their name to From the Jam once Foxton joined two years later. The band continued to tour until 2009.
Buckler stayed involved with Jam-related projects in his later years. In 2015, he released his autobiography, That’s Entertainment: My Life in the Jam, giving fans an inside look at his incredible journey.