Rick Buckler, drummer for The Jam and a key figure in the UK’s mod revival, has died at the age of 69 following a short illness.
The news was confirmed by his former bandmates Paul Weller and Bruce Foxton, who both shared statements expressing their shock and sadness. Buckler’s passing comes just weeks after he was forced to cancel a spoken word tour due to his ongoing health issues.
“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.”
Foxton echoed the sentiment, calling Buckler a “good guy and a great drummer whose innovative drum patterns helped shape our songs.” He added, “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.”
The Jam’s Legacy and Buckler’s Influence
Born on December 6, 1955, Buckler joined The Jam in the early ’70s, forming a trio with Weller and Foxton that would become one of the UK’s most influential bands. Between 1977 and 1982, The Jam scored 18 consecutive UK Top 40 singles, including four Number One hits—Going Underground, Start!, Town Called Malice, and Beat Surrender.
With their sharp suits, politically charged lyrics, and high-energy sound, The Jam spearheaded the late ’70s mod revival, pulling influence from The Who and The Kinks while injecting punk urgency into their music. Buckler’s drumming was a defining part of that sound—tight, rhythmic, and always pushing the song forward without overcomplicating it.
Life After The Jam
When The Jam split in 1982 at the peak of their success, Buckler went on to form Time UK before stepping away from performing to focus on studio production. By the mid-’90s, he had taken a complete break from music, working as a carpenter before eventually returning in 2005 with Gift—a band that played The Jam’s back catalogue.
Foxton joined him in 2007 for From The Jam, a project that lasted two years before Foxton stepped away, concerned it was becoming a tribute act. Buckler later took on various roles in the music industry and authored multiple books on The Jam’s history.
He is survived by his wife Lesley and their two children, Jason and Holly.
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