Another part of my childhood music scene died, on Monday, at the age of 69.
Rick Buckler was born in Woking and died in Woking - and that was also the place where he formed a band, The Jam, with his school friends Paul Weller and Bruce Foxton.
The Jam were one of the key UK bands of the later 1970's and early 80's, taking their musical and style nods from the great mod bands from a decade earlier, but adding a healthy dash of the punk attitude and social awareness that was prevalent at the time. While Weller got most of the plaudits for being the main songwriter and frontman, Buckler was the driving force behind the drums, ably assisted by Foxton on the bass.
The Jam: In The City (Official video)
From 1977 to 1982 they racked up an incredible eighteen straight UK Top40 hit singles, including four number ones. This started with In The City and an opening slot on The Clash's White Riot Tour, and ended five years later with Beat Surrender.
The Jam: Going Underground (Official video)
The band finished, at Weller's behest, at the end of 1982, with him feeling that he wanted to quite and move on to something new while they were still successful, not a viewpoint that Foxton and Buckler necessarily shared. The split was full of tension, although the other two would later acknowledge they kind of understood his reasoning.
Relationships were cold for a long time. Foxton didn't speak to Weller for around twenty years, and it seems, that Buckler never really spoke to him again.
The Jam: Town Called Malice (Official video)
From The Jam:
After the split, Buckler formed several short-lived bands, Time UK and then Sharp (which also included Foxton). He also wrote several books about his time in the band, and had a spell as a carpenter and cabinet maker. But in 2005 he started a band, The Gift (named after The Jam's last album), playing old Jam songs. It turned into From The Jam, and he was joined by Foxton in 2007 before moving on in 2009.
He died on Monday 17 February, following a short unspecified illness. He was survived by his wife Leslie and two children.
While they seemingly hadn't spoken in a long time, Weller was quick to add his condolences and reflections on his former bandmate.
"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!"
Foxton added; "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.
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."
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