The Jam were an English punk rock/mod revival band active during the late 1970s and early 1980s. They were formed in Woking, Surrey. While they shared the "angry young men" outlook and fast tempos of their punk rock contemporaries, The Jam wore smartly tailored suits rather than ripped clothes, and they incorporated a number of mainstream 1960s rock and R&B influences rather than rejecting them, placing The Jam at the forefront of the mod revival movement.
They had 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?" remained the best-selling import singles of all time in the UK. They released one live album and six studio albums, the last of which, The Gift, hit number one on the UK album charts. The band drew upon a variety of stylistic influences over the course of their career, including 1960s beat music, soul, rhythm and blues and psychedelic rock, as well as 1970s punk and new wave. The trio was known for its melodic pop songs, its distinctly English flavour and its mod image.
The Jam launched the career of Paul Weller, who went on to form The Style Council and later had a successful solo career. Weller wrote and sang most of The Jam's original compositions, and he 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" mainly using a Rickenbacker 4001 and a Fender Precision Bass and rarely an Epiphone Rivoli.
Cover artwork for The Jam's debut album 'In The City' released in 1977
Paul Weller onstage with The Jam at the Rainbow Theatre, London in 1979
The Jam, featuring Paul Weller, taken backstage before they performed at Reading's Top Rank in June 1977
Paul Weller onstage with The Jam during a gig at the Friars, Aylesbury in June 1978.
Paul Weller, with The Jam, plugging in his guitar live onstage at the Rainbow Theatre, London in April 1980.
Contact sheet of The Jam's photo shoot for the cover of their debut album 'In The City'
Paul Weller, with The Jam, performing live onstage at Guildford Civic Hall in June 1981
The Jam photographed by Martyn Goddard for their first album 'In The City' shot in London in 1977
Paul Weller, from The Jam, dressing for a cover shoot for 'The Face' in London in March 1983
Paul Weller with The Jam onstage for a soundcheck at the Rainbow Theatre, London in December 1978
Taken during the cover photo shoot for The Jam's second studio album This Is The Modern World
Limited edition of Morgan Howell's original painting of the cover of The Jam's 'Town Called Malice' vinyl single
Paul Weller, with The Jam, backstage at Wembey Arena, wearing a Rubber Soul belt, before performing in December 1982
The Jam before they go onstage at Poplar Civic Hall, London in June 1977
The Jam relaxing at Frank's Cafe in Soho during their photo shoot for the cover of 'News of the World'
Paul Weller performing on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury in 2015
Limited edition giant vintage pin badge featuring The Jam's logo on the iconic mod target by artist Tony Dennis AKA Tape Deck Art
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