Tributes have been paid following news of the passing of The Pogues’ drummer, Andrew ‘The Clobberer’ Ranken.
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Ranken was a founding member of the iconic folk group, helping bring the first line-up together in 1983. He acted as the drummer for the band in all of their studio albums and live shows up until their first hiatus in 1996. His time in the role earned him the nickname ‘The Clobberer’, and he also occasionally took on vocal duties for the group.
News of his passing was shared today (Wednesday February 11) by his bandmates, and in a post on their official social media pages, the band shared that he had died aged 72.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Andrew Ranken, drummer, founding member, and heartbeat of The Pogues,” their caption read, and the post also included a collage of images of him performing live over the years.
“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,” it added. “Our thoughts and love are with his family at this sad and difficult time.”
Following news of the passing being shared this morning, other tributes have been pouring in from across social media. In the comment section for The Pogues’ update, one fan wrote: “Such very sad news. I have so many marvellous memories of Andrew, not least his beautiful singing of ‘Danny Boy’ in a quiet bar in New Orleans. A wonderful man and a wonderful talent.”
Fellow musician Fiachna Ó Braonáin added: “Ah so sorry to hear about Andrew’s passing… always enjoyed whenever our paths crossed”, and one fan on X/Twitter shared: “Sad to hear that Andrew ‘The Clobberer’ Ranken has died. He was the backbone and heartbeat of The Pogues. Slán go fóill”.
“Sad to hear that the @poguesofficial drummer Andrew Ranken has passed. So many happy memories of seeing the band during my teenage years. Love to everyone,” someone else chimed in.
Another fan and fellow artist shared: “I’m very sad to hear of the passing of @poguesofficial drummer Andrew Ranken. I had the honour of playing with Andrew in @spiderstacy’s band Wisemen alongside Darryl Hunt, also from The Pogues RIP. Andrew was a humble, quiet man & a wonderful musician & singer.” Find more tributes below.
Phil Jupitas meanwhile shared a photo of the drummer with the message “thank you Andrew” next to three hearts.
Victoria Mary Clarke, widow of Pogue’s frontman Shane MacGowan, wrote an emotive tribute which read: “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.
“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.”
You can read some of the many tributes to Ranken here:
Sad to hear that Andrew ‘The Clobberer’ Ranken has died. He was the backbone and heartbeat of The Pogues. Slán go fóill pic.twitter.com/RrYQZYBs92
— Declan McConville (@DeclanRMcC) February 11, 2026
Sad to hear that the @poguesofficial drummer Andrew Ranken has passed. So many happy memories of seeing the band during my teenage years. Love to everyone. Om Shanti. ❤️
— chas newkey-burden (@allthatchas) February 11, 2026
I’m very sad to hear of the passing of @poguesofficial drummer Andrew Ranken. I had the honour of playing with Andrew in @spiderstacy’s band Wisemen alongside Darryl Hunt, also from The Pogues RIP. Andrew was a humble, quiet man & a wonderful musician & singer. RIP Clobberer 💚🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/KYfXtm2yyl
— Andy Nolan (@AndyNolanBCS) February 11, 2026
RIP Andrew Ranken. The beat of The Pogues.
— 🏴☠️ Punk Rock Warlord 🏴☠️ (@s_ejmik) February 11, 2026
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
— Siobhan MacGowan (@EtainsDream) February 11, 2026
Sad to hear Andrew Ranken has died. Listen to the fucker go! https://t.co/0L0xBY1OWA
— Peter Mitchell (@_bezpilotnik) February 11, 2026
The world is running out of Pogues, and that's very sad. RIP.
— david (@dakasitos) February 11, 2026
Rest in Power Andrew. Ar dheis Dé go raibh anam
— Cathal Mac An tSeanlaoic (@BrughaCOS) February 11, 2026
As well as his work with The Pogues, Ranken also performed with a blues band in more recent years called The Mysterious Wheels – who shared the album ‘Bare Bones’ in 2024 – as well as in a group called hKippers.
Ranken’s passing comes following the death of frontman Shane MacGowan, who died “peacefully” in hospital from pneumonia on November 30 2023. He was 65 years old and his funeral took place in Nenagh, County Tipperary on December 8 that year.
Last year, the surviving members of the group went on their first headline tour in over a decade, and brought along special guests to join them during their shows to fill in for MacGowan.
Around that time, they also spoke to NME about their celebration of the 40th anniversary of ‘Rum Sodomy & The Lash’, and said that Fontaines D.C. helped pave the way for the run of dates.