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Rick Buckler, founding drummer for popular and influential British rock trio The Jam, died February 17 after a short illness, his management company said in a statement. He was 69.

“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,” the statement reads. “Rick was a loving husband, father and grandfather and was a devoted friend to many, who will be greatly missed.”

Buckler joined up with frontman singer-guitarist Paul Weller and bassist Bruce Foxton to form The Jam in 1972 and remained with the group until its 1982 breakup. Recording from 1977-82, it was among the era’s most popular bands in the UK, where The Jam racked up 18 consecutive Top 40 singles, nine Top 10s and four No. 1s: 1980’s “Going Underground” and “Start,” followed by “Town Called Malice” — which debuted atop the chart — and...

Paul Weller’s new solo album On Sunset is out this Friday, but he’s already hard at work on the next one. Despite the music industry grinding to a halt in the wake of Covid-19 — his 2020 tour dates moved to 2021, and his album was pushed back three weeks — the former Jam singer can’t stop conducting the orchestras in his head.

“First of all, I’ve been unemployed for [the first time] in 43 years,” he says. “The tours were all canceled. But I’m trying to be positive. I’ve spent more time with my kids.

Paul Weller fuses New Wave, pop, R&b, and electronic music on his new single, “Earth Beat.” The track finds the former frontman for the Jam and the Style Council singing about feeling hope for a new day with his guest on the song, R&b artist Col3trane. “I feel that Earth beat close to mine,” Weller sings. “I know that Earth beat every time.” The song will appear on Weller’s upcoming LP, On Sunset, which is due out June 12th.

Weller notably plays guitar, bass, sitar, Hammond organ,...