Andrew Ranken death: The Pogues drummer dies aged 72

The Pogues drummer Andrew Ranken has died aged 72, the band announced on Wednesday.

Ranken, nicknamed “The Clobberer,” joined the legendary British Celtic band in 1983 and played on some of their most iconic songs, including “Fairytale of New York” and “Dirty Old Town.”

The group said in a tribute on Instagram that Ranken, the “heartbeat of The Pogues,” died Tuesday. His cause of death has not been disclosed.

“Andrew, thank you for everything, for your friendship, your wit and your generosity of spirit, and of course for the music, forever a true friend and brother,” the statement read. “Our thoughts and love are with his family at this sad and difficult time.”

The message was signed by band members Spider Stacy, James Fearnley and Jem Finer.

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Spider Stacy shared a tribute to Ranken on her private Instagram, writing, “The Clobberer has gone for a quiet pint, probably to be followed by several rather noisy ones. He was such a roaring force of nature, such a tremendous spirit… I’m so glad I was able to see him one last time before he left.”

The drummer’s death comes after the band’s vocalist and songwriter Shane MacGowan died in 2023.

A tribute shared on Instagram by Victoria Mary Clarke, MacGowan’s widow, said: “Last night after his long and brave battle with illness we lost our dear friend, Shane’s bandmate, Andrew ‘the Clobberer’ Ranken. Andy was a fierce drummer and founding member of the Pogues, having joined Poguemahone in 1983 and braving all the beer-swilling, pogo-jumping, underground illegal drinking joints the fledgling band played, and developing his own unique style of a warrior drumbeat.”

The statement continued, “Without him the Pogues could never have developed their battle-ready rhythm and sound. He truly was the heartBEAT of the band. He remained a true and loyal friend through all of his life. We will miss him and we are thinking today of his family and sending them all our love. May his gentle soul Rest in Peace.”

Siobhan MacGowan, the sister of the band’s late frontman, shared a tribute to Ranken on X, writing: “Andrew was such an important part of the story. A band brother and unbelievably talented and unique drummer. May he rest in peace.”

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Following MacGowan’s death, the band announced their first headlining tour in a decade in 2024, but later confirmed that Ranken would not be joining the reunion shows due to health issues. Fontaines DC’s Tom Coll subbed in for the longtime drummer instead.

Ranken joined The Pogues a year after they formed in King’s Cross, London, and stayed until they broke up in 1996. Then, when the band got back together in 2001, he rejoined until their second split in 2014.

He played with the band on acclaimed albums including Red Roses For Me (1984) and Rum Sodomy and The Lash (1985). He also provided harmonica and vocals for the group, singing lead on their song “Worms.”

In addition to his work with The Pogues, Ranken also performed with a group called the hKippers and, in more recent years, a blues band called The Mysterious Wheels.