The Jam

{{About|the English rock band of the 1970s–1980s|other uses|Jam (disambiguation)}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = The Jam

| background = group_or_band

| image = Thejam.gif

| landscape = yes

| caption = The Jam performing live in Newcastle upon Tyne during their Trans-global Unity tour, 1982{{cite web|url=http://www.thejam.org.uk/gigs.html |title=The Jam Information Pages – by Kevin Lock |publisher=Thejam.org.uk |date=11 April 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130816015007/https://thejam.org.uk/gigs.html |archive-date=16 August 2013 }}

| origin = Woking, Surrey, England

| genre = {{Flatlist|

Mod revival
new wave{{cite web|website=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2002/apr/26/shopping.artsfeatures|title=That was the modern world|quote=The Jam were British New Wave at its most quintessential and successful.|last=Sweeting|first=Adam|date=25 April 2002}}{{cite book| title=Working Class Heroes: Rock Music and British Society in the 1960s and 1970s | first=David | last=Simonelli | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mnrwy7P3KvQC&pg=PA240 | page=240 | year=2013 | publisher=Lexington Books | isbn=978-0-7391-7051-9 | quote = New wave, in contrast, was the sophisticated alternative to punk, a professional version of punk with which adolescents of all social persuasions could identify. It took punk challenges to middle-class politics, gender and sexuality, and made them seem glamorous in a way that punks never intended them to be. Though bands like The Jam positively seethed with political intent, they were far less controversial than their punk predecessors, and thus easier on the consciences of professional music critics.}}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-MVrM3zKrHQC&pg=PA25|page=25|title=Are We Not New Wave?: Modern Pop at the Turn of the 1980s|author=Theo Cateforis|publisher=University of Michigan Press|date= 7 June 2011|isbn=978-0472034703|quote=Throughout 1977 the new wave label continued to appear as a point of differentiation, distinguishing more melodic, pop-oriented groups like the Jam and the Stranglers from punk's increasingly politicized and violent realm.}}
punk rock{{cite web|website=The Shortlisted|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2006/feb/03/popandrock.paulweller|title=The Jam? They were a way of life|quote=If all this has long been ignored, at least part of the explanation lies in The Jam's anomalous place within punk rock, and the fact that music writers have usually ranked them below the short-lived Sex Pistols and the absurdly over-romanticised Clash (who, during the time they were together, never had a top 10 UK hit).|last=Harris|first=John|date=2 February 2006}}{{cite web|website=Wales Online|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/were-jam-best-punk-band-2353957|title=Were The Jam the best punk band?|quote=Unlike some punk bands whose short-lived appeal lay more in their outrageous dress and behaviour, The Jam produced songs with lyrics that actually meant something, and were tuneful too.|date=16 February 2006}}{{cite web|website=The Shortlisted|url=https://the-shortlisted.co.uk/from-the-jam-interview-bruce-foxton-russell-hastings/|title=The Jam's Legacy is Alive: Interview with Bruce Foxton & Russell Hastings|quote=Once upon a time, there was a legendary English punk and mod revival band called The Jam...|last=Pingitore|first=Silvia|date=26 April 2020}}
power pop{{cite news| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/12/AR2008021202565.html | newspaper=The Washington Post | title=From the Jam, Back With Fury 26 Years Later | date=13 February 2008 | access-date=25 May 2010}}{{cite web |url=http://canopicjar.com/Canopic9/hoekstra.html |title=Shelley & The Jam |author=Doug Hoekstra |publisher=Canopicjar.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210234031/http://canopicjar.com/Canopic9/hoekstra.html |archive-date=10 February 2009 }}

}}

| years_active = 1972–1982

| label = Polydor

| spinoffs = {{hlist|The Style Council|Time UK|Sharp|The Gift|From the Jam}}

| website = {{URL|thejamofficial.com}}

| past_members = * Paul Weller

}}

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.{{cite book

| first= David

| last= Roberts

| year= 2006

| title= British Hit Singles & Albums

| edition= 19th

| publisher= Guinness World Records Limited

| location= London

| isbn= 1-904994-10-5

| page= 277}} 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.

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. 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 vocalsThat's Entertainment: My Life in The Jam {{ISBN|978-1-783-05794-8}} p. 33 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."{{cite web |url=http://underground-network.de/weller.html |title=de beste bron van informatie over ska musik. Deze website is te koop! |publisher=underground-network.de |access-date=8 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312033553/http://underground-network.de/weller.html |archive-date=12 March 2007 }} 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 auditionGary Numan (R)evolution: The Autobiography, Constable 2020, Chapter Three) 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.{{Cite web |last=Yates |first=Henry |date=2023-03-07 |title=Bruce Foxton: "We once butchered some Rickenbackers, putting in P-Bass pickups to make it sound like a Precision. But all it did was screw up a lovely guitar" |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/features/bruce-foxton-from-The-jam |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=guitarworld |language=en}} 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.{{cite news |author=Pierre Perrone |title=John Weller: Father of Paul Weller who managed his son for 30 years |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/john-weller-father-of-paul-weller-who-managed-his-son-for-30-years-1674817.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090430141158/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/john-weller-father-of-paul-weller-who-managed-his-son-for-30-years-1674817.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 April 2009 |work=The Independent |location=London |date=27 April 2009 }} The Jam were signed to Polydor Records by Chris Parry in February 1977.{{Cite web |title=The Jam - 1977 |url=https://www.thejamofficial.com/timeline/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204081548/https://www.thejamofficial.com/timeline/ |archive-date=4 December 2020 |access-date=29 February 2024 |website=The Jam Official |language=en}}

=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.That's Entertainment: My Life in the Jam, p. 65. On 20 May, the band released their debut album of the same name.{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-chart/19770522/7502/|title=Official Albums Chart Top 60 |website=Officialcharts.com|access-date=12 November 2017}} 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.That's Entertainment: My Life in the Jam, p. 66.

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.{{cite web|first=Tim|last=Card|title=On This Day In 1977: The 'White Riot Tour' kicked of at the Roxy in London with The Clash, The Jam and The Buzzcocks.|url=https://blog.eil.com/2016/05/01/on-this-day-in-1977-the-white-riot-tour-kicked-of-at-the-roxy-in-london-with-the-clash-the-jam-and-the-buzzcocks/|publisher=Eil.com|date=1 May 2016|accessdate=30 December 2023}}

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".{{cite web |author=David Weigel |title=Margaret Thatcher vs. Pop Culture|url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2013/04/british-musicians-really-hated-margaret-thatcher.html|publisher=SLATE |date=8 April 2013 |accessdate=1 March 2021}} In 1977 Weller told the NME that The Jam would being voting Conservative at the next election,{{Cite book |first=Paolo |last=Hewitt |title=A Beat Concerto: Revised Edition |year=1996 |page=40 |publisher=Boxtree |isbn=0-7522-0269-3}} but they later visibly changed their attitude. https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2013/04/british-musicians-really-hated-margaret-thatcher.html https://revsoc21.uk/2017/03/05/its-up-to-us-to-change-this-town-called-malice-the-politics-of-paul-weller-the-jam-and-the-style-council/

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,That's Entertainment: My Life in The Jam, p. 70. 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"),{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/this-is-the-modern-world-mw0000312237 |title=The Jam: This is the Modern World |publisher=allmusic.com |date=24 May 2010 |access-date=14 January 2017}} both of which attracted criticism. His composing output gradually decreased, leaving Weller firmly established as the band's chief songwriter.That's Entertainment: My Life in The Jam, {{ISBN|978-1-783-05794-8}}, pp. 94–95.

=''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.{{Cite web |title=Jam |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/14105/the-jam/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170614075156/https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/14105/the-jam/ |archive-date=14 June 2017 |access-date=2 March 2024 |website=Official Charts}} 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.{{Cite book |last=Reed |first=John |title=Paul Weller: My Ever Changing Moods |publisher=Omnibus Press |year=2005 |isbn=1844494918 |edition=4th |pages=78 |language=en}} "News of the World" was used in the opening theme of the BBC television show Mock the Week during its extended run.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b085z8kv|title=Mock the Week: Christmas Special |publisher=bbc.co.uk |date=14 December 2016 |access-date=7 January 2017}}

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.{{Cite web |last=Alexander |first=Phil |date=12 August 2013 |title=The Jam: All Mod Cons Revisited |url=https://www.mojo4music.com/5135/the-jam-all-mod-cons-revisited/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140122113827/https://www.mojo4music.com/5135/the-jam-all-mod-cons-revisited/ |archive-date=22 January 2014 |access-date=2 March 2024 |website=Mojo}} It became their most successful 7" since "All Around the World".

It was not until their next single, "Down in the Tube Station at Midnight", that the Jam really regained their former critical acclaim. Around this time, the Jam slimmed their team of two producers to one, Vic Coppersmith-Heaven, who helped develop the group's sound.{{Cite news |last=Sweeting |first=Adam |date=2002-04-26 |title=That was the modern world |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2002/apr/26/shopping.artsfeatures |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140613121732/https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2002/apr/26/shopping.artsfeatures |archive-date=13 June 2014 |access-date=2 March 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} 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".

=''Setting Sons'' & ''Sound Affects'' (1979–1981)=

Following two successful and critically acclaimed non-LP singles, "Strange Town" and "When You're Young",{{cite web|url=http://www.radiox.co.uk/artists/paul-weller/news/paul-weller-three-best-songs-the-jam-changingman/ |title=Paul Weller: I've Written Three Perfect Songs In My Life |publisher=radiox.co.uk |date=10 June 2015|access-date=14 January 2017}} the band released "The Eton Rifles" in advance of their new album, Setting Sons, released in November 1979. The LP also saw their first chart entry in the US, albeit at 137 on the Billboard 200. The album began life as a concept albumThat's Entertainment: My Life in the Jam p. 131 about three childhood friends, though in the end many of the songs did not relate to this theme.{{Cite web |last=Armstrong |first=Sam |date=2023-11-16 |title='Setting Sons': Ushering In A New Dawn For The Jam |url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/setting-sons-ushers-in-a-new-dawn-for-the-jam/ |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=uDiscover Music |language=en-US}}

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/dreams-of-children-mt0052556220 |title=The Jam: Dreams of Children |publisher=allmusic.com |date=12 June 2013|access-date=14 January 2017}} The single was eventually officially recognised (and listed) as a double A-side by the time the release reached No. 1 in the UK.

Sound Affects, released in November 1980, was a No. 2 hit in the UK and peaked at No. 72 on the US Billboard charts, the band's most successful album in the US.{{cite web |date=9 November 2014 |title=Billboard 200 |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/6911760/the-jam/chart |access-date=14 January 2017 |publisher=billboard.com}} Weller said that he was influenced by the Beatles' Revolver and Michael Jackson's Off the Wall.{{Cite book|title = Paul Weller – The Changing Man|last = Hewitt|first = Paolo|publisher = corgi books|year = 2008|isbn = 9780552156097|pages = 132}} 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.{{cite web |title=That's Entertainment by The Jam Songfacts |url=https://www.songfacts.com/facts/the-jam/thats-entertainment |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218173318/https://www.songfacts.com/facts/the-jam/thats-entertainment |archive-date=18 December 2020 |access-date=12 November 2017 |website=Songfacts}} Despite being only available as an import single,{{Cite book |last=Reed |first=John |title=Paul Weller: My Ever Changing Moods |publisher=Omnibus Press |year=2005 |isbn=1844494918 |edition=4th |pages=100 |language=en}} it peaked at No. 21 on the UK charts. Despite the group's lack of commercial success in America, it made American magazine Rolling Stone{{'}}s list of the 500 greatest songs of all time.{{cite magazine|title=The RS 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: The Jam--"That's Entertainment" |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/6596151/thats_entertainment |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=4 October 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080619110213/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/6596151/thats_entertainment |archive-date=19 June 2008 }}

"Start!", released before the album, became another No. 1 single.That's Entertainment: My Life in the Jam p. 148 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."

=''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,{{Cite book |last=Willmott |first=Graham |title=The Jam: Sounds From The Street |publisher=Reynolds & Hearn |year=2003 |isbn=1903111668 |pages=167, 170–172 |language=en}} both reaching No. 4 on the UK charts.

The 1982 release The Gift – the band's final studio LP – was a commercial success, peaking at No. 1 on the UK charts{{Cite web |title=The Gift by Jam |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/albums/jam-the-gift/ |access-date=29 February 2024 |website=Official Charts}} while spending an unprecedented 16 weeks on the US Billboard charts.{{Cite magazine |date= |title=The Jam - Chart history {{!}} Billboard |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/6911760/the-jam/chart |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118203654/https://www.billboard.com/artist/6911760/the-jam/chart |archive-date=18 January 2017 |access-date=29 February 2024 |magazine=Billboard}} It featured several soul, funk, and Motown-stylised songs;{{Cite web |last=Woodstra |first=Chris |title=The Gift Review |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-gift-mw0000190459 |access-date=28 March 2024 |website=AllMusic}}{{Cite book |last=Reed |first=John |title=Paul Weller: My Ever Changing Moods |publisher=Omnibus Press |year=2005 |isbn=1844494918 |edition=4th |pages=119–122}}, most notably the No. 1 single "Town Called Malice".{{Cite news |last=Freeman |first=Greg |date=2012-04-05 |title=Old music: The Jam – Town Called Malice |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2012/apr/05/jam-town-called-malice |access-date=2024-03-28 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} While the song was described by the Irish Independent as "a class-war tirade set to a post-punk Northern Soul groove",{{Cite web |last=Egan |first=Barry |date=2021-05-09 |title=Modfather Paul Weller's fire still burns: 'He sings with a passion that his teenage self would surely have admired' |url=https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/modfather-paul-wellers-fire-still-burns-he-sings-with-a-passion-that-his-teenage-self-would-surely-have-admired/40393912.html |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=Irish Independent |language=en}} 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").{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/paul-weller-96-1295849|title=Paul Weller Reunites with The Jam's Bruce Foxton at London Gig|website=nme.com|year=2010}}{{cite web|url=https://www.uncut.co.uk/news/paul-weller-reunites-with-jam-bandmate-bruce-foxton-48040/|title=Paul Weller Reunites with Jam Bandmate Bruce Foxton|website=uncut.co.uk|year=2010}}{{cite news|title=Review: He's Still the Changingman - Brilliant Paul Weller Just Keeps on Getting Better|work=The Northampton Chronicle|date=25 August 2018}}

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.{{Cite web |date=2021-02-10 |title=Retro Chart: Writing on wall for Jam as Town Called Malice hits top |url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/kerry/lifestyle/retro-chart-writing-on-wall-for-jam-as-town-called-malice-hits-top/40072671.html |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=Independent.ie |language=en}} 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". The latter featured Tracie Young on vocals;{{Cite book |last=Buckler |first=Rick |title=That's Entertainment: My Life in the Jam |publisher=Omnibus Press |year=2015 |isbn=978-1783057948 |pages=155–156 |language=en}} a few months later, she also guested on the Style Council's debut single "Speak Like a Child".{{Cite web |last=Peacock |first=Tim |date=2023-05-25 |title=Best Style Council Songs: 20 Genre-Straddling 80s Classics |url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/best-style-council-songs/ |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=uDiscover Music |language=en-US}}

On 30 October 1982, after a world tour, Weller announced his intention to disband the Jam.{{Cite web |last=Sexton |first=Paul |date=30 October 2023 |title=The Bitterest Pill: The Breakup Announcement The Jam Fans Dreaded |url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/the-jam-announce-split/ |access-date=29 February 2024 |website=uDiscover Music |language=en-US}} They also made their final appearances on Top of the Pops and The Tube to promote "Beat Surrender".{{Cite web |last=Whatley |first=Jack |date=5 November 2021 |title=The best performances from Channel 4's 'The Tube' |url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/tube-best-performances-iggy-smiths-jam-fall-r-e-m/ |access-date=29 February 2024 |website=Far Out magazine |language=en-UK}} The tour included five consecutive nights at the Wembley Arena. 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.{{cite web|last1=Wells|first1=Simon|title=The Jam: December 11th 1982 by Simon Wells|url=http://www.modculture.co.uk/the-jam-december-11th-1982-by-simon-wells/|website=Modculture|access-date=20 December 2016|date=6 September 2011}}

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."{{cite web|last1=Watts|first1=Halina|title=Paul Weller insists The Jam will never reunite as it's 'against everything we stood for'|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/paul-weller-insists-jam-never-6319736|website=Mirror|access-date=20 December 2016|date=25 August 2015}}

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'."{{cite web|last1=Rutter|first1=Barry|title=Break-up of The Jam was bitterest pill for Rick Buckler|url=http://www.wokingnewsandmail.co.uk/?p=365|access-date=20 December 2016|date=7 March 2012}} Both Buckler and Foxton described the experience as bitter, but in later years both expressed understanding, if not complete acceptance.{{cite news|last1=Foxton|first1=Bruce|title=Bruce Foxton: 'There's no need for the Jam to get back together'|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturenews/11736628/Bruce-Foxton-Theres-no-need-for-the-Jam-to-get-back-together.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturenews/11736628/Bruce-Foxton-Theres-no-need-for-the-Jam-to-get-back-together.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=20 December 2016|date=17 July 2015}}{{cbignore}}

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. 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.{{cite web|title=The Jam's Swift Chart Comeback|url=http://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/jams-swift-chart-comeback|website=Udiscovermusic|access-date=23 January 2017}}

Post-split releases

Snap! was the first The Jam compilation album released after the band split,{{Cite book |last=Willmott |first=Graham |title=The Jam: Sounds From The Street |publisher=Reynolds & Hearn |year=2003 |isbn=1903111668 |pages=216}} reaching No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart in 1983. This was followed by Greatest Hits, released in 1991, which also peaked at No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart.

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; 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.{{cite web

| title = Top 100 Artists

| publisher=Virgin Radio

| year = 2002

| url = http://www.virginradio.co.uk/music/top100artists

| archive-date = 3 November 2005

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051103052230/http://www.virginradio.co.uk/music/top100artists/

| access-date = 27 April 2011}}

Post-split careers

File:Paulweller1.jpg 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.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/apr/16/paul-weller-style-council-more-modern-classics-rocks-backpages|title=Paul Weller: 'Most people dislike me anyway … it can only get better'|last=Snow|first=Mat|date=16 April 2014|work=The Guardian|access-date=21 November 2017|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}} 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{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/Freak |title=Freak |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=27 January 2014}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/har5239 |title=Bruce Foxton – Play This Game To Win / Welcome to the Hero – Harvest – UK – HAR 5239 |publisher=45cat |access-date=27 January 2014}}

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,That's Entertainment: My Life in the Jam p. 158 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.That's Entertainment: My Life in The Jam pp. 189–190 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,{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2008-04-04 |title=Rick Buckler |url=https://www.moderndrummer.com/2008/04/rick-buckler/ |access-date=2024-03-23 |website=Modern Drummer Magazine |language=en}} 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.{{Cite book |last=Buckler |first=Rick |title=That's Entertainment: My Life in the Jam |publisher=Omnibus Press |year=2015 |isbn=9781783057948 |pages=193}} In a 2007 press release, Foxton and Buckler announced they were working on a new album and UK tour,{{cite web | url = http://www.noblepr.co.uk/Press_Releases/from_the_jam/from_the_jam2.htm | title = From The Jam 2007 tour | publisher=Noble PR | year = 2007 | access-date = 30 July 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071103231840/http://www.noblepr.co.uk/Press_Releases/from_the_jam/from_the_jam2.htm |archive-date = 3 November 2007}} which led to press speculation about a full or partial reunion of the Jam, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of In the City.{{Cite magazine |last= |first= |date=2007-02-19 |title=Two-Thirds Of The Jam Reuniting For Tour |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/two-thirds-of-the-jam-reuniting-for-tour-1054714/ |access-date=2024-03-23 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last= |date=2007-02-19 |title=Paul Weller missing as 'The Jam' reform |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-jam-13-1339603 |access-date=2024-03-23 |website=NME |language=en-GB}} Weller did not take part, and has publicly expressed his lack of interest in any type of reformation.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4594270.stm |work=BBC News | title=Weller rules out The Jam reunion | date=10 January 2006 | access-date=25 May 2010}} 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."

After The Jam split, Weller and Foxton reportedly did not speak to one another for 20 years.{{cite news|author=Sean Michaels |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/jan/20/paul-weller-bruce-foxton-jam |title=Paul Weller and Bruce Foxton reunite for a Jam |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=20 January 2010}} 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. 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. 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.{{cite web |last1=Wilkinson |first1=Matt |title=Paul Weller reunites with The Jam's Bruce Foxton at London gig – video |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/paul-weller-96-1295849 |website=NME |access-date=6 October 2023 |date=26 May 2010}} Foxton ruled out a Jam reunion.

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.{{cite web |title=The Jam |url=https://www.somersethouse.org.uk/whats-on/the-jam-about-the-young-idea |website=Somerset House |access-date=28 July 2022 |language=en |date=28 December 2016}}{{cite web |title=The Jam: About The Young Idea |url=https://www.gettyimages.com/photos/the-jam-about-the-young-idea |website=Getty Images |access-date=28 July 2022 |date=2015}}{{cite web |title=The Jam: About the Young Idea |url=http://www.somersethouse.org.uk/visual-arts/the-jam-about-the-young-idea |access-date=13 April 2015 |publisher=Somerset House}} 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."{{cite web|last1=Britton|first1=Luke Morgan|title=The Jam drummer fails to attend the band's new London exhibition|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-jam-4-1225197|website=NME|access-date=20 December 2016|date=26 June 2015}} The exhibition was curated by Tory Turk, Nicky Weller{{cite web |title=The Jam: About the Young Idea in Liverpool - Nicky Weller on definitive Mod exhibition at The Cunard Building |url=https://www.getintothis.co.uk/2016/07/jam-young-idea-liverpool-nicky-weller-definitive-mod-exhibition/ |website=Getintothis |access-date=28 July 2022 |date=4 July 2016}} (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.{{cite web |last1=Nissim |first1=Mayer |title=The Jam documentary |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a665759/the-jam-about-the-young-idea-review-surrender-to-a-fine-rock-documentary/ |website=Digital Spy |access-date=28 July 2022 |date=28 August 2015}}{{cite web |title=The Jam: About the Young Idea (TV) (2015) |url=https://www.filmaffinity.com/us/film451583.html |website=filmaffinity |access-date=28 July 2022 |language=en}} The documentary was released on DVD, packaged with a recording of their 1980 live performance on German TV show Rockpalast.{{cite web |date=27 January 2016 |title=Film Review: The Jam - 'About the Young Idea' |url=https://newnoisemagazine.com/reviews/film-review-the-jam-about-the-young-idea/ |access-date=28 July 2022 |website=New Noise Magazine}}{{Cite web |date=24 October 2015 |title=The Jam: About The Young Idea CD/DVD documentary |url=https://www.music-news.com/news/UK/93085/The-Jam-About-The-Young-Idea-CD-DVD-documentary |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=Music-News.com |language=en-US}}{{cite web |date=16 January 2022 |title=THE JAM: About The Young Idea (Book+2DVD+CD) |url=https://www.hifianswers.com/2022/01/new-release-the-jam-about-the-young-idea-book2dvdcd/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528201929/https://www.hifianswers.com/2022/01/new-release-the-jam-about-the-young-idea-book2dvdcd/ |archive-date=28 May 2022 |access-date=28 July 2022 |website=hifi answers}}

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.{{cite web |title=The Jam: 'About The Young Idea' review |url=https://www.educatemagazine.com/the-jam-about-the-young-idea-review/ |website=Educate magazine |access-date=28 July 2022 |date=7 July 2016}} 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.{{cite web |last1=Young |first1=Natasha |date=8 September 2016 |title=Liverpool's exhibition on The Jam extended following demand |url=http://yourmovemagazine.com/liverpools-exhibition-jam-extended-following-demand/19889 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021220635/http://yourmovemagazine.com/liverpools-exhibition-jam-extended-following-demand/19889 |archive-date=21 October 2017 |access-date=21 October 2017 |website=You Move |publisher=Move Publishing}}

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.{{Cite web|url=https://thisisthemodernworld.net/|title=Ace Insights: Betting on Racquets & Pucks|website=Thisisthemodernworld.net}}

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2015/mock-the-week-decade |title=Mocking the week for a decade |publisher=BBC|date=30 August 2015| accessdate=30 August 2015}}

Members

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

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

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id:Drums value:orange legend:Drums,_percussion

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at:20/05/1977

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at:03/11/1978

at:17/11/1979

at:28/11/1980

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bar:Brookes text:"Steve Brookes"

bar:Waller text:"Dave Waller"

bar:Foxton text:"Bruce Foxton"

bar:Jessop text: "Pete Jessop"

bar:Weller text:"Paul Weller"

bar:Harris text:"Neil Harris"

bar:Buckler text:"Rick Buckler"

bar:Dilanda text:"Ross Dilanda"

bar:Grey text:"Bob Grey"

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bar:Harris from:01/03/1972 till:31/07/1972 color:Drums

bar:Buckler from:01/08/1972 till:10/12/1982 color:Drums

bar:Dilanda from:12/09/1975 till:14/09/1975 color:Drums

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bar:Grey from:15/08/1976 till:23/11/1976 color:Keyboards

}}

Discography

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

External links

{{AllMusic}}
[https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/artists/23228f18-01d5-493e-94ce-cfcde82a8db2 The Jam] from the BBC
{{Discogs artist}}
{{MusicBrainz artist}}
{{imdb name|1949648}}

Category:British mod revival groups

Category:English musical trios

Category:English new wave musical groups

Category:English power pop groups

Category:English punk rock groups

Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1982

Category:Musical groups established in 1972

Category:Musical groups from Surrey

Category:British political music groups

Category:Polydor Records artists