British rocker Rick Buckler, drummer of The Jam, dies at 69
British drummer Rick Buckler, best known for his work in the mod rock band The Jam, has died. He was 69.
A representative for Buckler confirmed his death in a statement to Paste BN on Wednesday, revealing the musician "passed away peacefully" Monday evening in his hometown of Woking, England. No further details about Buckler's condition were disclosed.
The Jam alum's family shared in a statement to the BBC Tuesday that Buckler was a "loving husband, father and grandfather" who will be "greatly missed."
"Rick was a loving family man as well as a great drummer from a very iconic British band," Buckler's former band-mate and close friend Russell Hastings wrote in a statement to Paste BN Wednesday. "He will be very sadly missed by his loving family and fans across the world!"
Paul Weller, another of Buckler's former bandmates, who served as The Jam's lead singer, paid tribute to the late drummer in a Facebook post Tuesday.
"I'm shocked and saddened by Rick's passing," Weller wrote alongside black-and-white throwback photos of the band. "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."
Weller also included a tribute message from The Jam bassist Bruce Foxton. "I was shocked and devastated to hear the very sad news today," Foxton wrote.
"Rick was a good guy and a great drummer whose innovative drum patterns helped shape our songs," he continued. "I'm glad we had the chance to work together as much as we did."
Formed in 1972, The Jam had a string of top 40 singles in the U.K. between 1977 and 1982. The group, which became known for its mod-inspired image and fusion of punk rock and '60s soul, scored four No. 1 songs, among them "Going Underground" and "Town Called Malice."
Following the band's dissolution in 1982, Buckler formed the short-lived musical outfits Time UK and Sharp. The latter group, which also featured singer Jimmy Edwards, saw Buckler reunite briefly with Jam bandmate Foxton.
Buckler left the entertainment industry in the mid-1990s and became a carpenter, restoring antique furniture in his personal workshop.
He returned to music in 2006 with the band The Gift, which was later renamed From the Jam. The group's music drew from The Jam's past catalog and featured Buckler alongside singer-guitarist Russell Hastings and bassist David Moore. Foxton joined the band's lineup in 2007, although Buckler departed the group two years later.
The rock musician released an autobiography, "That's Entertainment: My Life In The Jam," in 2015.
Buckler is survived by his wife Lesley and their two adult children, Jason and Holly.
Contributing: Catarina Demony, Reuters