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The Courier
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Courier
From The Jam celebrate decades of music and friendship
Times have been hard for From The Jam away from the concert halls in recent years. The legacy rockers' frontman Russell Hastings suffered a heart attack in 2022, then bassist Bruce Foxton, 69, signalled his intention to retire from touring in January amid ongoing cancer treatment. As if those blows weren't enough, the pair had to contend with the unexpected death of their friend and ex-bandmate Rick Buckler, also 69, the following month. 'I was devastatingly shocked,' Hastings tells me, reflecting on the passing of the legendary Jam drummer. 'I was in Thailand when I heard, somebody called me. I heard about six hours before the news broke in England and you could literally have pushed me over with a feather, and I phoned Bruce, who was just as shocked as I was.' Singer-guitarist Russell Hastings formed The Gift with original Jam drummer Rick Buckler in 2006. The Gift was a vehicle for playing The Jam's music and the line up extended to another original Jam member when Foxton joined and the musicians changed the band name to From The Jam. Sticksman Buckler left in late 2009 but remained a close ally. Hastings makes it clear he's firmly in both his and his followers' thoughts as the four-piece's tour to celebrate The Jam's 1979 fourth LP Setting Sons reaches its halfway point in Perth tonight. 'We've got a lovely huge backdrop of Rick,' he explains. 'It's 25 by 20 foot – a big photograph blown up – and he sits proudly looking down on us all night which makes the crowd very emotional. Also, I've been playing Thick As Thieves off the album for Rick these past few weeks because it always reminds me of him. 'We were very close in that period we were working together and I think people hold that song very close in their hearts and identify with it.' Thankfully, Foxton has felt strong enough in recent weeks to put his own plans to exit live music on hold. 'There's a lot of things you can't plan in life, but Bruce has had a great time and it's what he's done since 1974,' says Russell, 59. 'That's 51 years, and just to quit doing that is not something that he wants to do, so we're all happy. We love each other's company anyway, we've been best of friends for the last 20 years.' Featuring the first of The Jam's 10 top 10 hits Eton Rifles – they had four No1s – Setting Sons was a part-concept album about the lives of three boyhood friends whose bonds are irrevocably loosened by the experience of war. Hastings can still remember the joy of taking his copy of the album to his local youth club in West Sussex in 1979 and it playing loud on the venue's disco speakers. Given that From The Jam perform material from every phase of a prolific recording career, it's understandable that he refuses to nominate the opus as the Paul Weller-led outfit's finest offering. 'The Jam went wonderfully through very different periods and I think Setting Sons was as different as Sound Affects, and that was as different as All Mod Cons,' he declares. 'Collectively they're all a great body of work, and I enjoyed The Gift as much as I enjoyed In The City. It's just where you're at in life when you heard these albums and you relate that back. 'From playing this stuff I see people going back night after night in their memory banks. They get highly emotional about it and literally go delving into their childhood or teenage years. 'Music is the only thing that really does that apart from hypnotherapy.' Russell says From The Jam have never sought to replicate the sound of any album on stage – and that continues with Setting Sons. 'I just go and play the song from memory and I guess that's why it's worked over the years,' he adds. 'It's always been like that, even from the moment me and Rick started playing together, and I've never gone out to try and emulate Paul's voice. 'There isn't a song on the album that I don't enjoy playing, although Wasteland is my favourite at the moment, it's a beautiful track. The great thing about Paul's songwriting is he was just a normal guy everybody could identify with and could capture that in a moment.'
Telegraph
19-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
The Jam were the band that defined a generation – and they changed my life
The Jam were a band with a perfect career arc: from explosive beginnings to a thrilling imperial phase followed by an extraordinary act of creative harakiri, disbanding at the height of their power and popularity. They didn't even fall out, they just bowed out, after six albums and 18 consecutive hit singles, including four number ones. Despite the yearnings of disconsolate fans and, indeed, a couple of their members, they were one the precious few bands who never even countenanced a nostalgic reunion, and now we know they never will. The death of drummer Rick Buckler at the age of 69 brings to an end any last lingering hopes that the Jam might ever unleash that incredible power and fury again. Buckler was a fantastic drummer, hard hitting and inventive, forming a lean, mobile rhythm section with audacious, nimble bassist Bruce Foxton. They were the backbone of a perfectly balanced power trio, filling out and offsetting the inventive rhythm and lead work of guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Paul Weller, who would, of course go onto many more great things. Affectionately known as the Modfather, Weller has been a constant presence in our pop landscape for approaching 50 years. A man of ever-changing creative moods, Weller emerged from Woking in Surrey in the punk storm of the Seventies and spearheaded a Mod revival before indulging in the playful agit-pop of the Style Council in the Eighties, tuning into the Britpop revival of the Nineties and moving into the 21 st century as a revered singer-songwriter constantly exploring a wide array of rock, soul and jazz fusions. Yet the affection and loyalty Weller still inspires was all rooted in the Jam, a generational band still revered as one of the most vital and life-changing rock groups Britain has ever produced. Well, by me anyway. Because one of the lives they changed was mine. I was 16 when The Jam's debut album In The City came out, just a couple of years younger than the wiry, driven frontman with a Rickenbacker guitar and sharp suit. I already identified with punk and was in the midst of a tumultuous teenage engagement with music. I fell hard for the Jam. There were two thunderous albums in a row in 1977 and some electrifying appearances on Top of The Pops, all jerky movement, sharp style and fierce songcraft. The Jam's third album, 1978's All Mod Cons, was the game changer. Like so many other young rock fans of my era, I loved the cool pose of the cover and was enraptured by the thoughtful, philosophical, politically engaged lyricism set to elegant melodies and carefully layered arrangements. The epic closing track Down In The Tube Station at Midnight was devastating, its narrative of skinhead violence delivered like a Play for the Day set to Bruce Foxton's intricately propulsive bass line and Rick Buckler's racing percussion. The album displayed a depth and variety unusual in punk. There were dreamily romantic love songs (English Rose, Fly), pastoral elegies (The Place I Love) and an anthemic cover of a forgotten Kinks B-side David Watts. For Weller and the Jam, punk had never been year zero in music. He was a fan of The Beatles and The Who, and covered Motown and Northern Soul songs. The pun of the album title connected to his devotion to Mod style. As The Jam's popularity exploded, a new wave of Mod took root in Britain, as young men and women donned Harrington jackets and turned up jeans, Ben Sherman shirts and suede loafers, and took to riding motor scooters in badge-covered parkas. The Jam weren't just a pop sensation, they were a pop education. Weller started his own poetry fanzine and praised Liverpool poets Roger McGough, Brian Patten and Adrian Henri, whose Tonight At Noon he adapted into a song. He printed Percy Bysshe Shelley's The Mask of Anarchy on the cover of 1980 album Sound Affects. He talked about George Orwell and William Blake as enthusiastically as he spoke about music and clothes. He guided fashion choices through his meticulous Mod dress code. They were a group who inspired incredible devotion but who rejected any concept of separation from their fan base. If you were in the Jam army, you were all in it together. I only saw The Jam live once, an explosive set at the Top Hat Ballroom in Dublin in October 1978, the only time they played in Ireland. By the time I turned 18, I had formed a band called The Modulators; I wore skinny lapel jackets and paisley shirts, and I was bound on my own musical adventures. The Jam's popularity was expanding, and from 1980 they had a succession of number one singles including monumental political anthems Eton Rifles, Going Underground and Town Called Malice. Then in 1982, at the height of their success, on the back of a number one album, The Gift, and number one single, Beat Surrender, Weller announced the end of The Jam, bowing out with a final tour including five nights at Wembley Arena. I was devastated, as much as I tried to accept it as a statement of poetic completion. Weller felt he had taken that musical setup as far as he could, and it was time to move on. I met Weller shortly after that, in 1983, and fondly recall an afternoon drinking cappuccinos al fresco at a West End café. I was 22. He was 25. 'It was a good time for The Jam to stop,' he insisted. 'I used to think 'what if this goes on forever? Could we actually be playing when we are 30 and balding?' It's so undignified.' Well, he's 66 now, still got his hair, still writing songs that express his inner world, still out there playing. He has expressed his sadness and shock at the death of his old bandmate, even though the two never interacted after the end of the Jam. Buckler frequently pronounced himself baffled by Weller's decisions to end the band at their height. There was no falling out, just a growing apart. But Weller's deeply romantic ideas of rock music meant that he held a very high store by the notion that a band should never reform for reasons of nostalgia or money. He said he would rather go back to playing in pubs than with the Jam. For years, he would rarely even play a Jam song in his live sets, though that self-censure relaxed in recent decades. And whenever he does throw a Jam classic into his set, the venue is guaranteed to explode in delirious ecstasy. Those songs still carry a lot of magic and power. Though he went on to play in a couple of other groups (Time UK and The Highliners), Buckler never graced the charts again and eventually retrained as an artisan carpenter. He wrote some books about the Jam, and engaged with their loyal fan base, where he had a good guy reputation for down to earth frankness and geniality. Between 2007 and 2009, he reunited to play with Foxton in From The Jam, covering some of their famous songs. Buckler spoke of it as 'an itch I wanted to scratch' particularly regarding performing material from the final Jam album, 1982's The Gift, but he quit when he felt they were in danger of turning into their own tribute band. Foxton (who has remained on friendly terms with Weller, and appears on a few Weller solo recordings) had a more successful post Jam career, playing with Still Little Fingers for 15 years, releasing solo records and performing with From the Jam. He has announced that he will be retiring following a final From the Jam tour this year. Although for some it is sad that the trio never reunited, that refusal to turn back the clock has become part of their legend, confirming a particular sense of integrity and fierce youthful idealism. The Jam were of their moment. And what a moment it was. 'I'm not the greatest drummer in the world,' Buckler once admitted. 'But I did take a leaf out of Ringo Starr's book. He realised that the song is the star, right? None of us were really outstanding musicians in a lot of ways, but we were trying to be as inventive as we possibly could, so that we worked well together as a band. And that's what bands are about, it's not individuals, it's actually working together, which makes that sound which makes it work. You can put the same cake together with different ingredients, and it isn't the same cake. It is the sum of the parts that makes The Jam. There's no other way of doing it.'
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
BBC Breakfast's Jon Kay interrupts show to shares 'sad news'
BBC Breakfast presenter Jon Kay delivered heartbreaking news during the latest episode of the popular morning programme, announcing the death of musician Rick Buckler. On Wednesday's show (February 19), the mood turned sombre as Jon and his co-presenter Sarah Campbell shared details about drummer Rick, who gained fame as a member of the English rock band The Jam. Relaying the news, Jon stated, "It's quarter past seven, and some sad news. Rick Buckler, a drummer with The Jam, has died at the age of 69." As the BBC programme showcased a clip of Rick playing with The Jam in his younger days, Sarah added: "He was part of the band's classic line-up alongside bass player Bruce Foxton and lead singer and guitarist Paul Weller, who said he was 'shocked and saddened.'" READ MORE: BBC Breakfast's Carol Kirkwood apologises to co-star after awkward blunder on air READ MORE: Inside BBC Breakfast star Jon Kay's marriage and wife's totally different career After the brief footage of Rick in his prime, Jon remarked: "Rick Buckler there," as he gently steered the show forward. Reports indicate that Rick died after a short illness. He was a band member from its inception in 1972 until it disbanded a decade later. Although The Jam never fully reunited, Buckler and bassist Bruce frequently performed together. During their peak, The Jam released six studio albums featuring Rick on drums. His contributions included the highly acclaimed All Mod Cons (1978) and Sound Affects (1980). The Jam, renowned for timeless tunes like Town Called Malice, Going Underground, and Down In The Tube Station At Midnight, has left an indelible mark on the British music scene with 18 consecutive UK Top 40 hits, including four number ones. They capped it all off with the chart-topping album "The Gift." Mourning Rick's loss, Paul went to Facebook to express his emotions: "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 - P.W x" Rick resided in Woking with his beloved wife, fathering two children, Jason and Holly. Tune into BBC Breakfast every day from 6am on BBC One.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Paul Weller ‘shocked and saddened' after death of The Jam drummer Rick Buckler
Rick Buckler, the drummer of The Jam, has died aged 69, his former bandmate Paul Weller said. 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. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Paul Weller (@paulwellerhq) '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. Weller also shared a tribute from Foxton on the account, which read: '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.' Also paying tribute was ska group The Bodysnatchers' lead singer Rhoda Dakar, whose band shot to prominence in London at about the same time as The Jam. In a post on Instagram she said: 'A band is only as good as its drummer. So I would say he was a bloody good one. 'My sincere condolences to his family and friends. 'Don't waste a day people – tomorrow isn't promised.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rhoda Dakar (@rhodadakar) Buckler was due to embark on a Q&A tour of the UK later this year entitled A Night Of Memories And Music, which was recently postponed due to his health. The Jam achieved four UK number one singles and one UK number one album, and are best known for tracks such as Town Called Malice, Going Underground and Down In The Tube Station At Midnight. The band split in 1982 and had never fully reunited, but Foxton and Buckler have played together on a number of occasions. Weller and Buckler reportedly never spoke again barring a brief interaction, with the singer going on to form The Style Council after the dissolution of The Jam. After The Jam ended, Buckler went on to form a number of groups including Time UK, Sharp, which also featured Foxton, and The Gift, named after The Jam's last studio album and playing music from the band's back catalogue. Buckler toured with From The Jam, a new band playing covers of his first group, from 2007 to 2009, where he was joined by Foxton, who is still touring with the group. A statement from his management company announcing the news read: 'Rick Buckler, best known as the legendary drummer of The Jam, passed away peacefully on Monday evening in Woking, after a short illness with family by his side. 'Rick was a loving husband, father and grandfather and was a devoted friend to many, who will be greatly missed. 'His family have asked for privacy and respect during this time. Formed in 1972 in Woking, Surrey, the powerhouse three-piece comprised of singer, guitarist Paul Weller and drummer Rick Buckler and later bassist Bruce Foxton. 'The Jam had 18 consecutive UK Top 40 singles from their debut in 1977 to their break-up in December 1982, including four number one hits. 'Rick was also successful with other avenues following The Jam which included furniture design and restoration, writing a number of books and keeping a strong relationship with his fans through his Q&As.' The drummer lived with his wife, with whom he had two children, Jason and Holly. His books included a number on the history of The Jam, and his own autobiography That's Entertainment: My Life In The Jam, which was released in 2015.
Telegraph
18-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Rick Buckler, The Jam drummer, dies aged 69
Rick Buckler, the drummer of The Jam, has died aged 69, his former bandmate Paul Weller said. 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. Weller also shared a tribute from Foxton on the account, which read: '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.' Buckler was due to embark on a Q&A tour of the UK later this year entitled A Night Of Memories And Music, which was recently postponed due to his health. The Jam achieved four UK number one singles and one UK number one album, and are best known for tracks such as Town Called Malice, Going Underground and Down In The Tube Station At Midnight. The band split in 1982 and had never fully reunited, but Foxton and Buckler have played together on a number of occasions. Weller and Buckler reportedly never spoke again barring a brief interaction, with the singer going on to form The Style Council after the dissolution of The Jam. After The Jam ended, Buckler went on to form a number of groups including Time UK, Sharp, which also featured Foxton, and The Gift, named after The Jam's last studio album and playing music from the band's back catalogue. Buckler toured with From The Jam, a new band playing covers of his first group, from 2007 to 2009, where he was joined by Foxton, who is still touring with the group. A statement from his management company announcing the news read: 'Rick Buckler, best known as the legendary drummer of The Jam, passed away peacefully on Monday evening in Woking, after a short illness with family by his side. 'Rick was a loving husband, father and grandfather and was a devoted friend to many, who will be greatly missed. 'His family have asked for privacy and respect during this time. 'Formed in 1972 in Woking, Surrey, the powerhouse three-piece comprised of singer, guitarist Paul Weller and drummer Rick Buckler and later bassist Bruce Foxton. 'The Jam had 18 consecutive UK Top 40 singles from their debut in 1977 to their break-up in December 1982, including four number one hits. 'Rick was also successful with other avenues following The Jam which included furniture design and restoration, writing a number of books and keeping a strong relationship with his fans through his Q&As.' The drummer lived with his wife, with whom he had two children, Jason and Holly. His books included a number on the history of The Jam, and his own autobiography That's Entertainment: My Life In The Jam, which was released in 2015.
