Rick Buckler, drummer with The Jam, dies at 69

Rick Buckler, the drummer of The Jam, has died aged 69, his former bandmate Paul Weller said.

- CASEY COOPER-FISKE

Buckler, who died after a short illness, was a founding member of the mod punk band in 1972, playing in the band's classic line-up alongside bass player Bruce Foxton, 69, and lead singer and guitarist Weller, 66.

In an Instagram post, Weller said: "I'm shocked and saddened by Rick's passing. 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."

With The Jam, Buckler featured on six studio albums, including In The City (1977), All Mod Cons (1978) and Sound Affects (1980), which saw the band take a more melodic approach to punk rock, incorporating soul, blues and 1960s beat influences into their music.