Andrew David Ranken (Ladbroke Grove, London, 1953) began playing drums at the tender age of fourteen. While in Art College, he played drums in a band called Lola Cobra and hung out at Ronnie Scotts's jazz club.

When Lola Cobra split up, Andrew Ranken sold his drums to finance a hitch-hiking tour of Europe. When he came home he became the singer in the pubrock band The Stickers. After three years they split up and Andrew went on to form The Operation. This R'n'B cajun band had a line-up of up to 13 people, with Andrew taking the role of lead vocal.

Andrew's neighbours in King's Cross, Shane MacGowan and Jem Finer, asked him if he wanted to play drums in a band they were putting together. Due to his commitments as the lead singer in The Operation and his college studies, he was too busy. A short time later, he reconsidered and in March 1983 he became a permanent member of Pogue Mahone (This may explain why he is not part of the group photo on the cover of Red Roses for Me. The photo may have been taken before he officially joined.).

Andrew Ranken appeared on all of The Pogues' official recordings. After The Pogues split up Andrew became a member of Municipal Waterboard and hKippers. The hKippers are a septet led by singer and guitarist Paul Bradley, who is an actor in the TV-series EastEnders. Accordonist Stephen Warbeck, who played with The Pogues on Pogue Mahone writes all the tunes and Andrew plays the drums. There are also ex-members and sidespeople of Loose Tubes, Pyewacket, The Albion Band and The Communards on saxophone, flute, clarinet, trumpet and bass.

Ranken was known among his fans as "The Clobberer", a nickname he earned through his dynamic drum patterns and electric on-stage energy. He did not perform with the Pogues on their most recent tour due to his declining health, and was replaced by Fontaines D.C. drummer Tom Cull.

Bio from pogues.com
Andrew began playing drums at the tender age of 14. While in Art College, he played drums in a band called Lola Cobra and hung out at Ronnie Scotts's jazz club. When Lola Cobra split up, Andrew sold his drums to finance a hitch-hiking tour of Europe. When he came home he became the singer in the pubrock band The Stickers. After three years they split up and Andrew went on to form The Operation. This R'N'B cajun band had a line-up of up to 13 people, with Andrew taking the role of lead vocal.

Andrew's neighbours in King's Cross, Shane MacGowan and Jem Finer, asked him if he wanted to play drums in a band they were putting together. Due to his commitments as the lead singer in The Operation and his college studies, he was too busy. A short time later, he reconsidered and in March 1983 he became a permanent member of Pogue Mahone (This may explain why he is not part of the group photo on the cover of Red Roses for Me. The photo may have been taken before he officially joined.).

Andrew appeared on all of The Pogues' official recordings. After The Pogues split up Andrew became a member of Municipal Waterboard and hKippers. Andrew also spent time with the Nigel Burch Orchestra. Andrew now heads The Mysterious Wheels, a Blues, Country, Rock and Roll, and all-around fantastic band. They have a monthly gig at Bar Etcetera in Stoke Newington and are in the studio finishing work on their premier release.

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Andrew Ranken, drummer, founding member, and heartbeat of The Pogues.

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. - Jem, James & Spider