drummer and
Andrew Ranken, the longtime drummer of beloved Celtic punk band The Pogues, died Tuesday at the age of 72. His former bandmates announced the news in a solemn statement on social media on Wednesday, describing Ranken as the “heartbeat” of the group.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Andrew Ranken, drummer, founding member and heart of The Pogues,” band members Jim Finer, James Fearnley and Spider Stacy wrote on Instagram.
They continued: “Andrew, thank you for everything, for your friendship, your wit and your generosity of spirit and of course 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 hard-hitting drum work saw him nicknamed “The Clobberer” early in his career, have flooded social media with heartfelt tributes remembering Ranken as a “lovely guy” and “the backbone” of The Pogues.
The cause of the late musician’s death has not yet been confirmed or publicly revealed. However, Victoria Mary Clarke, widow of late Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan, said in a tribute on Instagram that Ranken died after “his long and brave battle with illness.”
Local publication Hackney Citizen reported in 2023 that Ranken was battling chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, whose symptoms include difficulty breathing. The drummer recorded a charity song at the time to support the city’s St. Joseph’s Hospice.
Ranken was born on November 13, 1953 in the Ladbroke Grove area of London. The fledgling drummer grew up 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 has ever been so exciting,” Ranken told the label at the time.
He was still in his third year, studying a degree in sociology and media at Goldsmiths College, University of London, when Finer and MacGowan approached Ranken in 1983 and asked him to audition for their group. It passed with great success.
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Then known as Pogue Mahone, they paid their dues by playing in dingy pubs across London.
The Pogues released their critically acclaimed debut album “Red Roses for Me” in 1984 and released six more in 1996, even after MacGowan was ousted in 1991 due to his debilitating alcoholism, but they eventually broke up when 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 “gone back to hating each other.”
Ranken would eventually return to his beloved blues, playing with The Mysterious Wheels.
It appeared to be the true end of an era as, 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.
Very sad to hear of the passing of Andrew ‘The Clobber’ Ranken. He was a fantastic drummer who was absolutely integral to The Pogues’ raw, limitless sound – his snare at the beginning of Sally MacLennane illustrates this point.
Thinking of his friends and family. #RIPAndrew pic.twitter.com/hWOhAzw7qP
– Richard Balls (@RichardBalls) February 11, 2026
Andrew was a very important part of the story. An incredibly talented and unique band brother and drummer. May he rest in peace 🙏💚 https://t.co/3JORgw1pLS
– Siobhan MacGowan (@EtainsDream) February 11, 2026
It is sad to hear of the passing of Andrew “Clobberer” Ranken. Most of the time I start my concerts with Star of the Co. Down and it’s through him that I found out.
It was one of the songs he sang with The Pogues and I have fond memories of them ending their sets with it. RIP pic.twitter.com/b1y8TF7Bvd– Billy Treacy (@billy_treacy) February 11, 2026