Paul Weller pays emotional tribute to Rick Buckler
It was announced today that Rick Buckler, who rose to fame as the drummer for The Jam, sadly passed away. Buckler died on February 17th at the age of 69, just a few weeks after he was made to cancel an ongoing tour due to health concerns.
The Jam are considered an incredibly important band, not only because of the music they made but also because of their stage presence, style, and the timeless nature of so much of what they did. They continue inspiring bands that are just getting their start in music, as they were voices for the working class, artists with a timeless approach to songwriting that continues to be just as relevant today as it ever was.
There is no escaping the fact that Rick Buckler was a pinnacle part of the band that created this awe-inspiring sound. He, along with Paul Weller and Bruce Foxton, all came together to form The Jam, and as such, both his surviving members shared moving words on social media in tribute to the drummer.
“I’m shocked and saddened by Rick’s passing. I’m thinking back to us all rehearsing in my bedroom in Stanley Road, Woking,” wrote Weller on a post of a black and white photo of the original line-up of The Jam, “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.”
Bruce Foxton also wrote a moving tribute for Buckler, stating that he was taken aback by the news, not only because of how sad it was but because it was so sudden.
“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,” he wrote, “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.”
This remains a developing story, as more information surrounding Buckler’s passing will soon follow.
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