The Jam

Template:Short description Template:About Template:Use British English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox musical artist

The Jam were an English rock band formed in 1972 in Woking, Surrey, consisting of Paul Weller, Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler. They released 18 consecutive top 40 singles in the United Kingdom, from their debut in 1977 to their break-up in December 1982, including four number one hits. As of 2007, "That's Entertainment" and "Just Who Is the 5 O'Clock Hero?" remain the best-selling import singles of all time in the UK.<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">Template:Cite book</ref> They released one live album and six studio albums, the last of which, The Gift, reached number one on the UK Albums Chart. When the group disbanded in 1982, their first 15 singles were re-released and all placed within the top 100.<ref name=":2" />

The band drew upon a variety of stylistic influences over the course of their career, including 1970s punk and new wave and 1960s beat music, soul and rhythm and blues. The trio were known for their melodic pop songs, their distinctly English take on social commentary, and their mod image. The band launched the career of Paul Weller, who went on to form the Style Council and later started a solo career. Weller wrote and sang most of the Jam's original compositions and played lead guitar, using a Rickenbacker 330. Bruce Foxton provided backing vocals and prominent basslines, which were the foundation of many of the band's songs, including the hits "Down in the Tube Station at Midnight", "The Eton Rifles", "Going Underground" and "Town Called Malice".

History

Formation (1972–1976)

File:Rickenbacker 330JG.jpg

A Rickenbacker 330. Weller frequently recorded and performed live with the Jam using this instrument.

The Jam formed at Sheerwater Secondary School in Woking, Surrey, England, in 1972. The line-up consisted of Paul Weller on bass and lead vocals<ref>That's Entertainment: My Life in The Jam Template:ISBN p. 33</ref> with various friends. They played their first gigs at Michael's, a local club. The line-up began to solidify in the mid-1970s with Weller, guitarist/vocalist Steve Brookes and drummer Rick Buckler. In their early years, their sets consisted of covers of early American rock and roll songs by the likes of Chuck Berry and Little Richard. They continued in this vein until Weller discovered the Who's debut album My Generation and became fascinated with mod music. As he said later, "I saw that through becoming a Mod it would give me a base and an angle to write from, and this we eventually did. We went out and bought suits and started playing Motown, Stax and Atlantic covers. I bought a Rickenbacker guitar, a Lambretta GP 150 and tried to style my hair like Steve Marriott's circa '66."<ref name="autogenerated2">Template:Cite web</ref> Eventually Brookes left the band, but although they advertised for a new guitarist (Gary Webb later known as Gary Numan claims to have failed an audition<ref>Gary Numan (R)evolution: The Autobiography, Constable 2020, Chapter Three</ref>) he was not replaced. Up to this point Weller had been playing bass and Foxton had been the band's second guitar player; he persuaded Foxton to take over bass duties.<ref name=":6">Template:Cite web</ref> The line-up of Weller, Foxton, and Buckler would persist until the end of the Jam's career.

Throughout their career, the Jam were managed by Weller's father, John Weller, who then managed Paul's subsequent career until his death in 2009.<ref name=JohnWeller>Template:Cite news</ref> The Jam were signed to Polydor Records by Chris Parry in February 1977.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Early recordings (1977)

On 29 April 1977, Polydor released the Jam's debut single, "In the City", which charted in the Top 40 in the UK.<ref>That's Entertainment: My Life in the Jam, p. 65.</ref> On 20 May, the band released their debut album of the same name.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The album, like those of the Clash and Sex Pistols, featured fast, loud and pointed songs. What set it apart from the records of those two bands was its more prevalent 1960s rock influences. The Jam covered Larry Williams's "Slow Down" (also covered by the Beatles) and the theme song of the 1960s TV series Batman.<ref>That's Entertainment: My Life in the Jam, p. 66.</ref>

On 1 May 1977, the Jam joined the Clash's White Riot Tour as an opening act, alongside the Buzzcocks, the Slits, Subway Sect, and the Prefects at Guildford Civic Hall and concluded the tour on 30 May 1977 at the California Ballroom in Dunstable.<ref name=Riot>Template:Cite web</ref>

The Jam had political lyrics, condemning police brutality ("In the City") and expansionist development ("Bricks and Mortar"). One of their most openly political songs, "Time for Truth", bemoaned the decline of the British Empire and expressed disparaging sentiments about "Uncle Jimmy" (the Prime Minister, James Callaghan) in no uncertain terms ("Whatever happened to the great Empire?" / "I think it's time for truth, and the truth is you lost, Uncle Jimmy"). These pro-Empire sentiments and ostentatious displays of the Union Flag began to earn the group the tag of "Conservative".<ref name=SLATE>Template:Cite web</ref> In 1977 Weller told the NME that the Jam would vote Conservative at the next election,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> but they later visibly changed their attitude.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

After the non-LP single "All Around the World" nearly reached the UK Top 10, the Jam, having achieved a notable and loyal following in such a short time,<ref>That's Entertainment: My Life in The Jam, p. 70.</ref> were pressed to produce more material quickly. Their second album, This Is the Modern World, was released later in 1977. Bruce Foxton, generally considered a lesser songwriter than Weller, contributed two songs to the LP ("Don't Tell Them You're Sane" and "London Traffic"),<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> both of which attracted criticism. His composing output gradually decreased, leaving Weller firmly established as the band's chief songwriter.<ref>That's Entertainment: My Life in The Jam, Template:ISBN, pp. 94–95.</ref>

All Mod Cons (1978)

In March 1978, the Jam released "News of the World", a non-album single that was written and sung by Foxton. It charted at No. 27 in the UK, and was the band's second biggest hit to date.<ref name=":2">Template:Cite web</ref> This was the only Foxton solo composition to be released as a Jam A-side. When the band went back into the studio to record a third album of primarily Foxton contributions, their songs were dismissed by producers as poor, and they held off recording an album in hopes that Weller would once again find inspiration.<ref name=":5">Template:Cite book</ref> "News of the World" was used in the opening theme of the BBC television show Mock the Week during its extended run.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The Jam released their next single, the double A-side "David Watts"/"'A' Bomb in Wardour Street". "David Watts" was a cover of a Kinks song, throughout which Weller and Foxton traded lead vocals. "'A' Bomb in Wardour Street" was a Weller original.<ref name=":4">Template:Cite web</ref> It became their most successful 7" since "All Around the World".<ref name=":2" />

It was not until their next single, "Down in the Tube Station at Midnight", that the Jam really regained their former critical acclaim.<ref name=":4" /> Around this time, the Jam slimmed their team of two producers to one, Vic Coppersmith-Heaven, who helped develop the group's sound.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In November, the Jam released their third LP, All Mod Cons. The twelve tracks included three of the tracks previously released as singles ("David Watts", "'A' Bomb In Wardour Street", and "Down in the Tube Station at Midnight") and two songs previously rejected for single release, the manic "Billy Hunt" and the acoustic ballad "English Rose".<ref name=":5" />

Setting Sons & Sound Affects (1979–1981)

Following two successful and critically acclaimed non-LP singles, "Strange Town" and "When You're Young",<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> the band released "The Eton Rifles" in advance of their new album, Setting Sons, released in November 1979.<ref name=":2" /> The LP also saw their first chart entry in the US, albeit at 137 on the Billboard 200.<ref name=":3" /> The album began life as a concept album<ref>That's Entertainment: My Life in the Jam p. 131</ref> about three childhood friends, though in the end many of the songs did not relate to this theme.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The band's first single of 1980 was intended to be "Dreams of Children". Due to a labelling error, however, the A- and B-sides of the single were reversed, resulting in the more conventional "Going Underground", the single's planned flipside, getting much more airplay and attention.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The single was eventually officially recognised (and listed) as a double A-side by the time the release reached No. 1 in the UK.<ref name=":2" />

Sound Affects, released in November 1980, was a No. 2 hit in the UK<ref name=":2" /> and peaked at No. 72 on the US Billboard charts, the band's most successful album in the US.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Weller said that he was influenced by the Beatles' Revolver and Michael Jackson's Off the Wall.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> It included the acoustic "That's Entertainment". According to Weller he wrote "That's Entertainment", a bitter slice-of-life commentary on the drudgery of modern working-class life, in around 15 minutes upon returning inebriated from the pub.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Despite being only available as an import single,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> it peaked at No. 21 on the UK charts.<ref name=":2" /> Despite the group's lack of commercial success in America, it made American magazine Rolling StoneTemplate:'s list of the 500 greatest songs of all time.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

"Start!", released before the album, became another No. 1 single.<ref>That's Entertainment: My Life in the Jam p. 148</ref> Commenting on its similar bassline to The Beatles' Revolver cut "Taxman", Foxton said "Basslines like "Start!" just come to you. It’s not an intentional thing...it’s not quite like "Taxman", note-wise – you couldn’t sue me for it."<ref name=":6" />

The Gift and break-up (1981–1982)

Two non-LP singles, "Funeral Pyre" and "Absolute Beginners" (named after Colin Macinnes' novel of the same title) were released in 1981,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> both reaching No. 4 on the UK charts.<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/><ref name=":2" />

The 1982 release The Gift – the band's final studio LP – was a commercial success, peaking at No. 1 on the UK charts<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> while spending an unprecedented 16 weeks on the US Billboard charts.<ref name=":3">Template:Cite magazine</ref> It featured several soul, funk, and Motown-stylised songs;<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>, most notably the No. 1 single "Town Called Malice".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> While the song was described by the Irish Independent as "a class-war tirade set to a post-punk Northern Soul groove",<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> it was in reality a tale about dealing with hardship in a small, downtrodden English town. "Town Called Malice" is one of a handful of The Jam songs Weller still performs (along with "That's Entertainment", "Man in the Corner Shop", "Strange Town", "Art School", "Start!" and "In the Crowd").<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

When "Town Called Malice" reached number one in the UK the group had the honour of performing both it and its double A-side, "Precious" on Top of the Pops.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> After the string-laden soul ballad "The Bitterest Pill (I Ever Had to Swallow)" peaked at No. 2, the band followed with their finale and another No. 1, "Beat Surrender".<ref name=":2" /> The latter featured Tracie Young on vocals;<ref name=":0">Template:Cite book</ref> a few months later, she also guested on the Style Council's debut single "Speak Like a Child".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On 30 October 1982, after a world tour, Weller announced his intention to disband the Jam.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite web</ref> They also made their final appearances on Top of the Pops<ref name=":0" /> and The Tube to promote "Beat Surrender".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The tour included five consecutive nights at the Wembley Arena.<ref name=":1" /> The last date on the original itinerary had been scheduled for 9 December 1982 at Guildford Civic Hall, close to the band's hometown of Woking. Due to ticket demand, an additional date was added at the Brighton Conference Centre on 11 December 1982 for their last performance.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The decision to split was solely Weller's. Explaining at the time that he disliked the idea of continuing for as long as possible simply because they were successful, he later told The Daily Mirror in advance of a 2015 Sky documentary on the band, "I wanted to end it to see what else I was capable of, and I'm still sure we stopped at the right time. I'm proud of what we did but I didn't want to dilute it, or for us to get embarrassing by trying to go on forever. We finished at our peak. I think we had achieved all we wanted or needed to, both commercially and artistically."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Weller's decision to move on, announced by his father, the band's manager, at an extraordinary band meeting in the summer of 1982, "came as a shock" to Buckler and Foxton, who wanted to keep the band together. Buckler told the Woking News and Mail in 2012: "It was like we were going to be driving over a cliff at the end of the year, and you keep thinking 'Well, maybe he'll change his mind'."<ref name=Woking>Template:Cite web</ref> Both Buckler and Foxton described the experience as bitter, but in later years both expressed understanding, if not complete acceptance.<ref name=Woking /><ref>Template:Cite news Template:Cbignore</ref>

Following the split, Foxton did not speak to Weller for over 20 years, and Buckler said in 2015 that he still had not spoken to Weller since, despite repeated attempts by Buckler and Foxton in 1983 and 1984 to meet up with and talk to Weller.<ref name=Woking /> As the farewell tour neared its end, Polydor released a live album titled Dig the New Breed, a collection of songs from various concert performances over the band's five-year career which, while commercially successful, met with mixed reviews. The month after the final concert in Brighton, Polydor re-released all sixteen of the band's singles, nine of which re-entered the UK charts on 22 January 1983.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Post-split releases

Snap! was the first The Jam compilation album released after the band split,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> reaching No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart in 1983.<ref name=":2" /> This was followed by Greatest Hits, released in 1991, which also peaked at No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart.<ref name=":2" />

A five-CD box set Direction Reaction Creation, featuring all of the Jam's studio material (plus a disc of rarities) peaked at No. 8 on the UK Albums Chart upon its release in 1997;<ref name=":2" /> an unprecedented achievement for a box set. In 2002, Virgin Radio counted down the top 100 British music artists of all-time as polled by listeners and the Jam were No. 5 on the list. Weller made two other appearances in the poll; as part of The Style Council at No. 93 and as a solo artist at No. 21.<ref>Template:Cite web </ref>

Post-split careers

File:Paulweller1.jpg

Paul Weller performing in the 2000s

In early 1983, Weller announced the formation of a new band, the Style Council, a duo with keyboard player Mick Talbot, formerly of the minor mod revival band the Merton Parkas. They would eventually split in 1989.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He subsequently embarked on a successful career as a solo artist.

Following a short stint recording demos with Jake Burns and Dolphin Taylor, previously of Irish punk outfit Stiff Little Fingers, Foxton released his debut single "Freak" on Arista Records. Entering the UK Singles Chart at No. 34 on 30 July 1983, it eventually peaked at No. 23<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and secured an appearance on Top of the Pops. Foxton's solo album Touch Sensitive followed in 1984, but subsequent singles "This Is the Way", "It Makes Me Wonder" and "My Imagination (S.O.S.)" failed to enter the Top 40. A final single "Play This Game to Win" was released on Harvest Records in November 1986.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Foxton went on to replace Ali McMordie in a reformed Stiff Little Fingers in 1990, remaining with the band until January 2006, when he quit to pursue other projects. Later that year he joined Simon Townshend (Pete Townshend's brother), and Mark Brzezicki and Bruce Watson (both of Big Country) in the band Casbah Club, which released an album called Venustraphobia.

After the Jam split, Buckler formed Time UK with Jimmy Edwards and Ray Simone,<ref>That's Entertainment: My Life in the Jam p. 158</ref> formerly of Masterswitch, ex-Tom Robinson Band guitarist Danny Kustow and (briefly) former Radio Stars/Sparks bassist Martin Gordon. The band released three singles "The Cabaret", "Playground of Privilege" and "You Won't Stop" before folding. In 1986, Buckler and Foxton released the single "Entertain Me" under the name Sharp.

In 2006, Buckler, who had not been playing for several years after Sharp quit, formed a band named the Gift, playing material from The Jam with musicians Russell Hastings and David Moore.<ref>That's Entertainment: My Life in The Jam pp. 189–190</ref> Hastings, who spent many years as a local musician including a couple of years in a Jam tribute band, took on guitar and lead vocal duties. In 2006, Foxton performed on stage with The Gift at some of their concerts,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and went on to join the band as bassist, with Moore moving to second guitar and keyboards. At this point the group changed its name to From the Jam.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In a 2007 press release, Foxton and Buckler announced they were working on a new album and UK tour,<ref name="pressrelease">Template:Cite web</ref> which led to press speculation about a full or partial reunion of the Jam, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of In the City.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Weller did not take part, and has publicly expressed his lack of interest in any type of reformation.<ref name="autogenerated1">Template:Cite news</ref> In a 2006 interview with BBC Radio 6 Music, Weller stated a reunion of the Jam would "never, ever happen", and that reformations are "sad". He said: "Me and my children would have to be destitute and starving in the gutter before I'd even consider that, and I don't think that'll happen anyway ... The Jam's music still means something to people and a lot of that's because we stopped at the right time, it didn't go on and become embarrassing."<ref name="autogenerated1" />

After the Jam split, Weller and Foxton reportedly did not speak to one another for 20 years.<ref name="guard">Template:Cite news</ref> In June 2006, it was reported that Weller and Foxton met backstage at The Who's Hyde Park concert, and a ten-minute conversation ended with an embrace.<ref name="guard"/> Foxton claimed that the two became friends again in 2009 and this led to them collaborating for two tracks on Weller's solo album Wake Up the Nation in early 2010.<ref name="guard"/> In May 2010, Weller and Foxton appeared together on stage for the first time in 28 years at the Royal Albert Hall in London, performing three songs together.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Foxton ruled out a Jam reunion.<ref name="guard"/>

In popular culture

From 26 June to 27 September 2015, an exhibition entitled The Jam: About the Young Idea ran at Somerset House in London.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> For the first time, all three members of the band, the Weller family and music archivist Den Davis opened up their archives for the exhibition. Despite Foxton's reported hopes that the opening would bring all three together on stage for the first time since their 1982 split, Buckler did not attend. NME reported at the time that, while Foxton and Weller apparently reconciled no later than 2010, "Weller and Buckler are said to have not been in the same room since their band’s demise."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The exhibition was curated by Tory Turk, Nicky Weller<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> (Paul's sister) and Russell Reader.

In September 2015, The Jam: About the Young Idea, the documentary film, directed by Bob Smeaton, was broadcast on Sky Arts.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The documentary was released on DVD, packaged with a recording of their 1980 live performance on German TV show Rockpalast.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

About the Young Idea was an exhibition held at the Cunard Building in Liverpool, which was opened by Buckler and ran from 1 July to 6 October 2016.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Curators Nicky Weller, Den Davies and Russell Reader drew together a wide range of memorabilia including personal items provided by the band members. A free app allowed visitors to engage with the exhibits by scanning VCodes.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

This Is the Modern World was an exhibition held at Valley Gardens, Brighton, running from 1 August to 29 August 2022. Curated by Nicky Weller, it included a collection of previously unseen Jam and Style Council memorabilia.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

An extract from the chorus of the song "News of the World" is used as the theme tune for the British satirical panel game Mock the Week.<ref name="BBC Mock">Template:Cite web</ref>

Members

Paul Weller – lead and backing vocals, lead guitar, bass, keyboards (1972–1982)
Rick Buckler – drums, percussion (1972–1975, 1975–1982; died 2025)
Bruce Foxton – backing and lead vocals, bass, rhythm guitar (1974–1975, 1975–1982)

Other members

Steve Brookes – lead guitar, vocals (1972–1975)
Dave Waller – rhythm guitar (1972–1973)
Ross Dilanda – drums (1975)
Pete Jessop – guitar (1975)
Bob Grey – keyboards, piano (1976)

Additional personnel

Tracie Young – backing vocals on "Beat Surrender"
Jennie Matthias (née McKeown) duetted on vocals on "The Bitterest Pill (I Ever Had to Swallow)"
Afrodiziak – background vocals
Peter Wilson – piano, drums, keyboards, Hammond organ
Steve Nichol – trumpet, Hammond organ
Luke Tunney – trumpet
Martin Drover – trumpet
Keith Thomas – saxophone, soprano sax
Russell Henderson – steel drums

Timeline

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id:LGuitar    value:teal         legend:Lead_guitar
id:RGuitar    value:brightgreen  legend:Rhythm_guitar
id:Keyboards  value:purple       legend:Keyboards
id:Bass       value:blue         legend:Bass
id:Drums      value:orange       legend:Drums,_percussion
id:bs         value:gray(0.1)
id:hh         value:gray(0.3)
id:bars       value:gray(0.95)
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 at:12/03/1982

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bar:Brookes    text:"Steve Brookes"
bar:Waller     text:"Dave Waller"
bar:Jessop     text: "Pete Jessop"
bar:Weller     text:"Paul Weller"
bar:Foxton     text:"Bruce Foxton"
bar:Grey       text:"Bob Grey"
bar:Harris     text:"Neil Harris" 
bar:Buckler    text:"Rick Buckler"
bar:Dilanda    text:"Ross Dilanda"

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 bar:Brookes    from:start               till:09/10/1974  color:LGuitar
 bar:Brookes    from:start               till:09/07/1975  color:Vocals     width:3
 bar:Brookes    from:09/10/1974          till:09/07/1975  color:RGuitar
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 bar:Weller     from:start               till:end         color:Vocals
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 bar:Weller     from:start               till:09/10/1974  color:Bass
 bar:Weller     from:15/10/1975          till:15/11/1975  color:Bass       width:7
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 bar:Foxton     from:01/07/1974          till:09/10/1974  color:RGuitar
 bar:Foxton     from:09/10/1974          till:15/10/1975  color:Bass
 bar:Foxton     from:15/11/1975          till:end         color:Bass
 bar:Foxton     from:15/05/1975          till:15/10/1975  color:Vocals     width:3
 bar:Foxton     from:15/11/1975          till:end         color:Vocals     width:3
 bar:Grey       from:15/08/1976          till:23/11/1976  color:Keyboards
 bar:Harris     from:01/03/1972          till:31/07/1972  color:Drums
 bar:Buckler    from:01/08/1972          till:15/10/1975  color:Drums
 bar:Buckler    from:15/11/1975          till:end         color:Drums
 bar:Dilanda    from:15/10/1975          till:15/11/1975  color:Drums

</timeline>

Discography

Template:Main

Studio albums

In the City (1977)
This Is the Modern World (1977)
All Mod Cons (1978)
Setting Sons (1979)
Sound Affects (1980)
The Gift (1982)

References

Template:Reflist

External links

Template:The Jam Template:Authority control