Pogues Founding Drummer Andrew Ranken Dies at 72

Andrew Ranken, the founding drummer who powered The Pogues through their most celebrated recordings and earned the nickname "The Clobberer" for his physical approach behind the kit, died on Tuesday, February 10. He was 72. The band's surviving original members, Spider Stacy, James Fearnley and Jem Finer, confirmed the news in a statement posted to the group's Instagram the following day. No cause of death has been reported.

"It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Andrew Ranken, drummer, founding member, and heartbeat of The Pogues," the three wrote. "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. Our thoughts and love are with his family at this sad and difficult time."

Victoria Clarke, the wife of late Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan, added her own tribute on Instagram. "Andrew was a beautiful human and a total gentleman and an absolutely legendary drummer," she wrote. "He was very much loved by Shane and I have no doubt that he will be warmly welcomed by Shane, but he will be very much missed here on Earth."

Born November 13, 1953, in Ladbroke Grove, London, Ranken picked up drumming at 14 and worked his way through several outfits before the Pogues came calling, including Lola Cobra, The Stickers, and The Operation, an R&B band in which he served as lead singer. He joined The Pogues in 1983, one year after Shane MacGowan, Peter "Spider" Stacy and Jem Finer had formed the group as Pogue Mahone in King's Cross, replacing original drummer John Hasler.

With Ranken anchoring the rhythm section, the band released their debut Red Roses for Me in 1984, followed by the Elvis Costello-produced Rum Sodomy & the Lash in 1985, an album Ranken was credited with naming. Those records established the template for Celtic punk, and his drumming drove two of the band's signature tracks: "Fairytale of New York" and "Dirty Old Town." Beyond the kit, Ranken also played percussion and harmonica and contributed vocals throughout the band's run.

The Pogues split in 1996 after several key members, including MacGowan, departed for various reasons. Ranken rejoined the band when it reformed in late 2001 and played with them regularly until the group dissolved again in 2014, following the death of guitarist Philip Chevron. When surviving members Stacy, Finer and Fearnley reunited in 2024 and toured the following year to mark the 40th anniversary of Rum Sodomy & the Lash, Ranken had to sit out due to health issues. Fontaines D.C. drummer Tom Cull filled the seat for those shows.

Ranken is the fourth member of The Pogues to die. Chevron passed away in 2013, bassist Darryl Hunt, who had replaced original bassist Cait O'Riordan in 1986, died in 2022, and MacGowan died in November 2023. With Ranken's passing, the losses have now claimed the band's frontman, lead guitarist, bassist and founding drummer within the span of roughly twelve years.