Andrew Ranken, the longtime drummer for beloved Celtic punk band The Pogues, died Tuesday at the age of 72. His former bandmates announced the news in a solemn social media statement Wednesday, describing Ranken as the group’s “heartbeat.”

“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Andrew Ranken, drummer, founding member, and heartbeat of The Pogues,” wrote band members Jim Finer, James Fearnley and Spider Stacy on Instagram.

They continued, “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.”

Fans of the English percussionist, whose pounding work on the drums saw him dubbed “The Clobberer” early on in his career, have flooded social media with heartfelt tributes remembering Ranken as a “Lovely fella” and “the backbone” of The Pogues.

A cause of death for the late musician has yet to be confirmed or publicly disclosed. Victoria Mary Clarke, the widow of late Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan, said in an Instagram tribute that Ranken died after “his long and brave battle with illness,” however.

Local publication Hackney Citizen reported in 2023 that Ranken was battling chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, symptoms of which include trouble breathing. The drummer recorded a charity song at the time to support the city’s St. Joseph’s Hospice.

Ranken was born on Nov. 13, 1953, in the Ladbroke Grove area of London. The fledgling drummer was raised on his parents’ jazz albums, but told Aldora Britain Records in 2022 that “a volcano erupted” when he first heard The Beatles and Rolling Stones.

“Nothing had ever been so exciting,” Ranken told the label at the time.

He was still in his third year and studying for a media and sociology degree at Goldsmiths College at the University of London when Finer and MacGowan approached Ranken in 1983 and asked him to audition for their group. He passed with flying colors.

Then known as Pogue Mahone, they paid their dues playing dingy pubs across London.

The Pogues dropped their critically acclaimed debut album “Red Roses for Me” in 1984 and went on to release six more by 1996, even after MacGowan was ousted in 1991 due to his debilitating alcoholism, but ultimately broke up when the instability tore them apart.

While they reunited in 2001, The Pogues once again disbanded in 2014 amid apparent infighting and exhaustion from touring. MacGowan told Vice the following year that he and his bandmates had simply “grown to hate each other all over again.”

Ranken would ultimately return to his beloved blues, playing with The Mysterious Wheels.

It appeared to be the true end of an era when, after years of drug and alcohol abuse, MacGowan died in 2023 at the age of 65. While The Pogues reunited the following year, Ranken was reportedly unable to participate due to his ongoing health issues at the time.

Fans commemorated the late Pogue with somber tributes on social media.

When a forest falls we all hear the thunderRIP Andrew ‘The Clobberer’ Ranken 13/11./1953 - 10/02/2026 #thepogues pic.twitter.com/dJcZbOtAKj

So sad to hear of the passing of Andrew ‘The Clobber’ Ranken. He was a terrific drummer who was absolutely integral to The Pogues raw, unconfined sound - his snare at the start of Sally MacLennane illustrating the point. Thinking of his friends and family. #RIPAndrew pic.twitter.com/hWOhAzw7qP

Andrew was such an important part of the story. A band brother and unbelievably talented and unique drummer. May he rest in peace 🙏💚 https://t.co/3JORgw1pLS

A post shared by Shane MacGowan (@shanemacgowanofficial)

Rest in peace, Andrew ‘The Clobberer’ Ranken, drummer and founding member of The Pogues. pic.twitter.com/Ipf6tJktCO

Sad to hear of the passing of Andrew “Clobberer” Ranken More often than not I start my gigs with the Star of the Co. Down & it is through him that I learned itIt was one of the songs he sang with The Pogues & I have fond memories of them finishing off their sets with it. R.I.P. pic.twitter.com/b1y8TF7Bvd

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