THE JAM 1982

The Jam - Paul Weller, Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler - were the ultimate 'angry young men' of pop. Leading the Mod Revival of the 1970s in thrilling new directions, their tight live shows, razor-sharp style and perfectly crafted songs earned them a devoted following and a string of number one hits.

By 1982 The Jam were bigger than ever, but the pressure of success was taking its toll. At the peak of their powers, Paul Weller made the shock decision that was far from welcomed by the rest of the group, let alone the fans: The Jam were to split up and go their separate ways. 

This richly illustrated and revealing oral history of their final year, led principally by the voice of drummer Rick Buckler, contains a number of previously unseen images and untold stories, taking us from the recording and release of their final studio album, The Gift, to The Jam's last appearances together. 

In addition to Buckler's memories of the time, The Jam 1982 also brings together testimonies from Gary Crowley, producer Peter Wilson, A&R manager Dennis Munday, photographer Neil ‘Twink’ Tinning, Eddie Piller, Paolo Hewitt, Mat Osman, Belle Stars singer Jennie Matthias (The Bitterest Pill), touring musicians Jamie Telford and Steve Nichol and others, to tell the tale of a single, fateful year: the year The Jam, for better or worse, went out at the very top of their game.

Reviews

The Jam 1982 celebrates the fire and skill of (in the words of John Weller) “The Best Fucking Band In The World” and should be an essential purchase. - Louder Than War

A must read for all fans...a delicately balanced and informative source of truth. - Gigslutz

Mod icons' swansong year. This superbly illustrated book makes me want to go and listen to The Jam from 1982 (like I have every year since). That's a helluva recommendation.'- Classic Rock

Author: Zoë Howe and Rick Buckler
Publisher: Omnibus Press
Release date: 11 November 2022
Format: Hardback, 176 pages
Language: English