An oral history of British rock band The Jam in the words of 300 fans

500 FANS REMEMBER THE BAND THAT ENCAPSULATED BRITAIN'S NEW WAVE

The Jam exploded onto the British music scene with the single ‘In The City’ in 1977 and departed just six years later. More than 300 fans recall their concerts in this collection of memories of more than 100 concerts. With ‘Going Underground’, ‘Eton Rifles’, ‘Down In The Tube Station At Midnight’ and ‘Town Called Malice’, The Jam were constant fixtures in the UK singles charts in the late 1970s and early ’80s, clocking up thirteen Top 20 hits. Breaking through as part of the British punk scene and topping both the UK singles and album charts four times, The Jam’s commercial success is matched by the affection in which the band are still held. Lead singer Paul Weller went on to have a successful career with The Style Council and as a solo artist, amassing a further thirty Top 20 hit singles and topping the UK album chart in five successive decades, a feat only ever achieved by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Mourned by some who think Paul Weller’s decision to break up the band in 1982 was rash, and celebrated by those who think the decision courageous, The Jam remain musical heroes for thousands of British music fans. This is their story.