Rick Buckler: 1955- 2025

So the news broke last night (18th February 2025) that Rick Buckler had passed away after a short illness. 

Buckler was the drummer in The Jam, one of the most important and innovative bands of the 1970s and 80s. He joined the band in 1972 and was with them right up until the end in 1982. 

Not known for his eccentric drumming style, Buckler instead took the Ringo Starr approach to drumming wanting to serve the songs with his style.

Buckler’s drumming played a pivotal role in The Jam’s sound, and helped them become one of the most successful and influential British bands of all time. First at the forefront of the 1977 punk explosion and then into a more reflective and melancholic outfit. Taking influence from The Who, The Beatles, Motown, Kinks and Small Faces. 

His drumming featured on six highly popular and critically acclaimed studio albums and 18 consecutive Top 40 singles mix including four Number Ones. 

Buckler was there for the whole journey of The Jam’s from playing in pubs to the their final ever gig in Brighton. He alongside thousands of fans thought the disbandment of the band was a bad idea, and commented at his disappointment that it happened. Saying that

“Everytthing I’d got out of bend for the previous ten years had gone. Paul (Weller) was probably the only person who thought it was a good idea.”

The split was painful for both Buckler and Foxton because Weller cut them off and didn’t contact them for a number of years 

In years since The Jam, Buckler worked on a number of musical projects, both with and without Foxton. 

He also wrote three books about his time in the band, one alongside Foxton in 1993 ‘The Jam Our Story’, and two on his own ‘That’s Entertainment, My Life in The Jam’ and ‘The Jam 1982’

Buckler married Lesley Hudson in 1985 and had two children Jason and Holly. 

He was a member of one of the most important British bands ever, his contribution can never be overlooked. I was on social media just after his death was announced and reading peoples replies and memories of Rick, not only showed what a musician he was but what a man he was. 

Tributes have come in from the world of music. Naturally led by Weller and Foxton but also coming from Steve Brookes (former member of The Jam), Paul Gallagher, The Farm amongst many others. 

My thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time. 

Jack