Although every subsequent single had a placing within the Top 40, it would not be until the band released "The Eton Rifles", with Weller's very political lyrics, that they broke into the Top 10, hitting the No. The Jam's first single "In the City" took them into the UK Top 40 for the first time, in May 1977. Nonetheless, The Clash emerged as one of the leading early advocates of the band and were sufficiently impressed by The Jam to take them along as the support act on their White Riot tour of 1977. Also, being from just outside London rather than in it, they were never really part of the tightly-knit punk clique. In 1976 Brookes left the band and Weller and Foxton decided they would swap guitar roles, with Weller now the guitarist.Īlthough The Jam emerged at the same time as punk rock bands such as The Clash, The Damned, and Sex Pistols, The Jam better fitted the mould of the New Wave bands who came later. Joined by Rick Buckler on drums, and with Bruce Foxton soon replacing Waller on rhythm guitar, the four-piece band began to forge a local reputation playing a mixture of Beatles covers and a number of compositions written by Weller and Brookes. Weller's father, their manager, began booking the band into local working men's clubs. In 1972 Weller formed the first incarnation of The Jam, playing bass guitar with his best friends Steve Brookes (lead guitar) and Dave Waller (rhythm guitar). By the time Weller was eleven and moving up to secondary school at Sheerwater County Secondary music was the biggest part of his life and he began playing the guitar. His love of music started with The Beatles, then The Who and the Small Faces. In 1963 Weller started his education at Maybury County First School. His father worked as a taxi driver and his mother was a part-time cleaner. He was initially known as John William Weller but later acquired the name Paul. He is also the principal figure of the 1970s and 80s mod revival and is often referred to as the Modfather.Įarly life (1958–1975)Weller was born on in Sheerwater, near Woking, Surrey, England, to John and Ann Weller. In 1991 he established himself as a successful solo artist, and continues to remain a respected singer, lyricist and guitarist.ĭespite widespread critical recognition, Weller has remained a national rather than an international star, and much of his songwriting is rooted in English culture. Starting with the band The Jam (1976–1982), Weller went on to branch out musically to a more soulful style with The Style Council (1983–1989). (born ) is an English musician and singer-songwriter.
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