Rick Buckler, drummer of The Jam, dies at 69

Dubai: Rick Buckler, the powerhouse drummer behind the influential mod-punk band The Jam, died on February 17 in the United Kingdom.

He was 69.

His former bandmates, Paul Weller and Bruce Foxton, confirmed the news on social media, mourning the loss of their longtime friend and collaborator.

Buckler’s passing follows his recent health struggles, which had forced him to cancel an ongoing spoken-word tour.

His death marks the end of an era for fans of The Jam, a band that defined British punk and new wave music in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Weller, the band's frontman, paid tribute to Buckler in an emotional message on X (formerly Twitter), reminiscing about their early days.

“I’m shocked and saddened by Rick’s passing,” Weller wrote. “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.”

As the rhythmic backbone of The Jam, Buckler’s precise drumming style played a crucial role in shaping the band's sound.

Alongside Weller and Foxton, he helped craft hits such as Going Underground, Town Called Malice, and That’s Entertainment, tracks that became anthems for a generation disenchanted with the political and social landscape of Britain in the late ’70s.

According to Variety, The Jam’s sharp, socially conscious lyrics, paired with Buckler’s energetic drumming, positioned them as one of the most influential bands of their time. Despite the group disbanding in 1982, their music has continued to resonate with fans old and new, proving its lasting impact.

After The Jam split, Buckler remained active in the music industry, performing in bands such as The Gift and From the Jam, as well as authoring That's Entertainment: My Life in The Jam, reflecting on his time in one of Britain’s most iconic bands.

Buckler’s passing is a great loss to the world of punk and new wave, but his beats will continue to echo through the decades.