Andrew Ranken, a founding member and the revered drummer of the iconic Irish folk-rock group The Pogues, has passed away at the age of 72. The announcement of his death was met with deep sadness from his former bandmates, who honored him in an Instagram post, affectionately describing him as the band's “heartbeat.” While the specific cause of death was not disclosed by the band, Victoria Mary Clarke, the widow of The Pogues' late singer Shane MacGowan, revealed in a separate remembrance that Ranken had succumbed after a “long and brave battle with illness.”

Ranken, who earned the fitting nickname “The Clobberer” for his distinctive drumming style, was praised by his bandmates for “everything, for your friendship, your wit and your generosity of spirit, and of course for the music, forever a true friend and brother.” Clarke further elaborated on his profound impact, stating, “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. Without him the Pogues could never have developed their battle-ready rhythm and sound. He truly was the heartBEAT of the band.”

Born in London on November 13, 1953, Andrew Ranken was studying media and sociology at Goldsmiths College at the University of London when he joined the then-nascent band, Pogue Mahone, in 1983. The group, which would later become The Pogues, was known for its unique fusion of traditional Irish folk, punk, and rock. According to The New York Times, Ranken's entry into the band was somewhat unconventional: MacGowan and multi-instrumentalist Jem Finer overheard him practicing, invited him to audition twice, and then offered him a spot on the condition that he play a spare kit consisting only of a snare and floor tom, standing up, with “no cymbals, but you can have a saucepan lid.” This idiosyncratic setup proved effective, contributing to the propulsive, rat-a-tat percussion that became a hallmark of the band's early sound, famously heard on their 1985 single “Sally MacLennane.”

Ranken's drumming, often described as “sometimes bashing, sometimes martial, army band-like,” was integral to the sound of all seven of The Pogues’ studio albums. His rhythm anchored beloved tracks such as “Fairytale of New York,” “Dirty Old Town,” “A Pair of Brown Eyes,” “If I Should Fall From Grace With God,” and “Sunny Side of the Street.” Beyond his drumming, Ranken showcased his versatility by playing harmonica and occasionally taking lead vocals, notably on the minute-long interlude “Worms” from 1988’s *If I Should Fall From Grace With God*, and contributing backing vocals to 1990’s *Hells Ditch*.

The band quickly gained recognition with their 1984 debut, *Red Roses For Me*, which blended punk attitude with traditional Irish folk. Their second album, 1985’s *Rum Sodomy & the Lash*, saw them achieve their first U.K. chart placement. The album's distinctive title was suggested by Ranken himself, an adaptation of a quote attributed to Winston Churchill, which Ranken believed “seemed to sum up life in our band.” Despite the chaotic nature of the group, often exacerbated by Shane MacGowan's substance issues, The Pogues released several classic albums, including *If I Should Fall From Grace With God* (1988), *Peace and Love* (1989), and *Hell's Ditch* (1990). Even after parting ways with MacGowan for a period, Ranken continued his contributions, providing a ragged lead vocal on the love-lost lament “My Baby’s Gone” from 1993’s *Waiting For Herb*.

Ranken's involvement extended to the band’s seventh and final studio album, 1996’s *Pogue Mahone*, where he co-wrote and shared vocals on the pugnacious Cajun/Irish rocker “Amadie.” Following The Pogues' initial split, he remained a key figure, rejoining the band for their series of reunion tours from 2001 to 2014. In his post-Pogues career, Andrew Ranken continued his musical endeavors, leading the group Andrew Ranken and Mysterious Wheels, and also performing with The Recidivist. His passing marks the end of an era for fans and serves as a poignant reminder of his irreplaceable contribution to the unique, battle-ready sound of The Pogues.