The Jam drummer Rick Buckler dies aged 69

The Jam drummer Rick Buckler has died aged 69, his former bandmate Paul Weller has confirmed.

Buckler was in the mod punk band alongside bass player Bruce Foxton, 69, and lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist Weller, 66.

The drummer was part of the group from their formation in 1972 until they broke up a decade later.

They never fully reunited but Foxton and Buckler had played together on a number of occasions.

Buckler died after a short illness.

He "passed away peacefully on Monday evening in Woking, after a short illness with family by his side", his management company said in a statement.

"Rick was a loving husband, father and grandfather and was a devoted friend to many, who will be greatly missed."

The Jam released six studio albums and Buckler played on them all, including the critically-acclaimed All Mod Cons (1978) and Sound Affects (1980).

They had 18 consecutive UK top 40 singles, including four number ones, and also had a UK number one album - The Gift. The Jam 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."

Early years

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.

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.

He 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.

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The drummer lived with his wife, with whom he had two children, Jason and Holly.

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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