Rick Buckler (Credit: Neil Tinning - used with permission)
Rick Buckler died over 18 months ago and this October, his daughter Holly is putting his old Premier drum kit back on stage at Woking Theatre, with a star-studded line up of guests from and connected to The Jam. Every ticket going to the hospice that looked after her dad at the end – she tells Jason Barnard the story.
I understand that this event has been in the works since your dad passed away in February 2025. What made Woking Theatre and this date feel right, and how long has the planning taken?
Yes it has been a long process, my original idea was to have it at the Brighton Centre, on Dad’s 70th birthday, which I thought was very fitting, as The Jam’s last gig was there. However, we were all grieving and adapting to life without Dad around so unfortunately this didn’t come to fruition. The opportunity then came about to host the event at Woking Theatre, I loved this idea as The Jam formed in Woking, Dad grew up in Woking and spent his whole life living locally so we chose to go with this option. It is also very easy to get to, with a good train links etc, so hoping it would be accessible for the fans!
Mike Read hosting, Eddie Piller on the decks, A Band Called Malice, Steve Brookes, Bruce Foxton, The Highliners and Pretty Green. How did that lineup come together, and were there people you particularly wanted involved because of their history with your dad?
Steve Brookes was an original founding member of The Jam, so it only felt right to have him involved, he will be both playing and talking about the early days of The Jam. After The Jam, Dad had his own recording studio in Islington where he worked on The Highliners album, and also played with them on one of their tours, so there is a strong link to have them involved. They are also a really good fun band which I know everyone will enjoy watching and will be up standing to their wild psychobilly music, so I really wanted them there. Mike Read introduced The Jam in what was supposed to be their last gig in Guildford and he also worked with them on Top of the pops numerous times so it is great to have a host who knows the band well and worked with them right up to the end!
Your dad’s Premier kit is going to be played by other drummers throughout the night. Whose idea was that, and how did you feel about letting people play it rather than simply having it on display?
Den Davies who is the curator of the About The Young Idea exhibition has the kit and has kindly said we can use it on the stage. It is such a well known iconic piece of kit it is fantastic to be able to showcase it. It seems a shame to keep it on display or stored away and I feel like it is begging to be played again. I do wonder what Dad would be thinking though and saying ‘look after my kit!’
Jam co-founder Steve Brookes, Dennis Munday from Polydor and producer Peter Wilson are speaking. What do you think fans will hear from them that isn’t already part of the familiar Jam story?
I am hoping they have great stories of what The Jam got up to in the record labels office, and any mischief they got up to. As three young lads in their 20s I am sure there are some unheard stories! Dad always shared his favourite ones with us but I am sure there are others that will come to light on the night.
Some of the About The Young Idea items in the foyer have never been shown publicly. Can you say what some of them are, and how have they come to light now?
Ah, you will have to wait and see! Den has picked up some more items since the exhibition in Liverpool, some pieces are from my Dad that he had at home.
Your dad always played down his own drumming. He told me he’d taken a leaf out of Ringo Starr’s book because the song was the star, not the player. The outpouring of love for him has been incredible since his passing. I’m sure the event will be very moving too. How do you think he’d have felt about how he has been remembered and the event itself?
I am really hoping he would be incredibly proud of what we have achieved and proud of himself to have so many fans buying tickets and really celebrating his life and legacy. He was always very modest, but always tried really hard at anything he put his hand too. He always wanted to be the best he could and would do something again and again until he was happy with it. That obviously continued from his Jam days and the energy and hard work he put into his drumming. He always said he would practise not to get it right, but to not ever get it wrong and I think that is something to be very proud of and a great moto to live by.
Woking & Sam Beare Hospice cared for your dad in his final months. What was it about their care that made you want this to be the charity the event supports?
Obviously it was an incredibly hard time for all of us and not being able to help or make everything better, whilst watching your loved one fade away is truely, the hardest thing anyone could go through. The team at the hospice did everything they possibly could to ensure Dad was comfortable and had what he needed. They were also incredibly supportive of the family and to mum who was caring for dad both at home and whilst he was at the hospice. They always greeted you with a smile and offered the best care and advice, even with the hardest conversations. I honestly don’t think our family could have got through it as well as we did without their support and knowing Dad was in the best possible hands.
And for anyone who can’t make it to Woking on the night, what’s the best way they can support the hospice?
Any donation is fantastic and greatly appreciated to ensure Woking and Sam Beare Hospice can continue to offer their fantastic care and services. There is a much loved page for Dad which you can find here for those who are kind enough to donate: paulbuckler.muchloved.com
Further information
Rick Buckler: Music, Memories and The Jam, Live at Woking Theatre, Monday 12 October 2026
