Ex-Jam member Steve Brookes has paid tribute to his former bandmate Rick Buckler, who died earlier this week.
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Buckler passed away on Monday (February 17) following a brief illness. He was 69 years old. The news came weeks after the drummer was forced to cancel his spoken word tour due to “ongoing health issues”.
Writing on social media, Paul Weller said he was “shocked and saddened” by Buckler’s death: “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!”
Former bassist for The Jam, Bruce Foxton, wrote: “I was shocked and devastated to hear the very sad news today. Rick was a good guy and a great drummer whose innovative drum patterns helped shape our songs.”
Now, Brookes has paid his respects to Buckler in a message shared via Weller’s official X/Twitter account.
…Rick’s evolution as a drummer, was such a vital part of that.
I only saw Rick a few times in recent years but I know his easy-going nature will be sadly missed….the beat goes on….rest peacefully Rick – Steve Brookes
(2/2) pic.twitter.com/07OBzy8Om9
— Paul Weller (@paulwellerHQ) February 19, 2025
“I’m deeply saddened at the news of the passing of Rick Buckler, my sincere condolences go to his family at this difficult time,” he said. “From our rudimentary beginnings the band evolved into the powerful force that it became.
“Rick’s evolution as a drummer, was such a vital part of that. I only saw Rick a few times in recent years but I know his easy-going nature will be sadly missed….the beat goes on….rest peacefully Rick – Steve Brookes.”
You can see the post above.
Brookes played in The Jam alongside Buckler from 1972 until 1975 – when the former departed the line-up. Buckler remained in the iconic Woking band up until their break-up in 1982.
Following the split, the drummer formed the group Time UK and also began running a production studio in Islington, London.
Buckler took time away from music in the ’90s and pursued work as an ad-hoc carpenter, before returning to the industry in 2005 and forming the band The Gift (named after The Jam’s sixth and final studio album).
The band primarily performed early material by The Jam, and was subsequently renamed From The Jam when Bruce Foxton joined the group.
Meanwhile, fans of The Jam have been re-sharing footage and audio of the band’s final live show in the wake of Buckler’s death.
The post The Jam’s Steve Brookes pays tribute after death of Rick Buckler appeared first on NME.