Founding Pogues drummer Andrew Ranken, known as “The Clobberer,” died at 72 on Feb. 10, 2026, due to COPD.

Andrew Ranken, the founding drummer of the Irish folk-punk band The Pogues, has died at 72. Known as “The Clobberer,” he helped shape the band’s raw sound using minimal equipment, including a saucepan for cymbals, and later adopted a full kit after a tour injury. He played on all Pogues albums, contributed to hits like “Fairytale of New York,” and remained musically active with Mysterious Wheels. The band announced his death on February 10, 2026, without disclosing the cause or location, though he had been living with COPD.