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Personalities | The Jam | Seventies | Rock

(Vocal/instrumental group, 1972–82)

A three-piece from Woking, Surrey, The Jam comprised Paul Weller (guitar, vocals), Bruce Foxton (bass, vocals) and Rick Buckler (drums). Emerging with punk, the band embraced the movement’s energy but scorned its negative aspects. After a promising debut In The City (1977), the follow-up This Is The Modern World (1977) was rushed and unconvincing. Work on a prospective third album was scrapped, prompting a serious re-think of the band’s direction.

All Mod Cons (1978) marked the start of a remarkable resurgence. 1979 saw their first Top 10 single, ‘The Eton Rifles’, and the quasi-concept album Setting Sons. The Jam swiftly became the UK’s most popular group with four No. 1 singles: ‘Going Underground’, ‘Start’, ‘Town Called Malice’ and their final release ‘Beat Surrender’. Increasingly uncomfortable with the trio’s musical limitations and the demands of The Jam’s huge audience, Weller disbanded the group in December 1982 to form The Style Council.

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley

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