British rock singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Born: 25 May 1958 in Sheerwater , Surrey, England, UK. English singer, songwriter, and previous leader of two bands: The Jam and The Style Council. In England, he is recognised as something of a national institution yet, because much of his songwriting is rooted in English culture, he has remained essentially a national rather than an international star. He was a central figure in the Mod revival. As the leader of The Jam he fronted the most popular British band of the punk era, influencing legions of English rockers that ranged from his mod-revival contemporaries to Smiths in the 1980s and Oasis in the 1990s. During the final days of The Jam he developed a fascination with Motown and soul music, which led him to form the sophisti-pop group Style Council in 1983. As The Style Council’s career progressed, Weller’s interest in soul moved towards an infatuation with jazz-pop and house music, which led to the gradual erosion of his audience and the eventual split of The Style Council in 1990. But by then, Weller couldn’t get a record contract in the UK, where he had previously been worshipped. As a solo artist, Weller returned to soul music as an inspiration, cutting it with the progressive, hippie tendencies of Traffic. Weller’s solo records were more organic and rootsy than the Style Council, which helped him regain his popularity within Britain. He launched his solo career in 1992 and by the mid 1990s, he had released three successful albums which were both critically acclaimed and massively popular in England. Then contemporary bands like Ocean Colour Scene were citing him as an influence. Just as importantly, many observers, while occasionally criticising the trad-rock nature of his music, acknowledged that Weller was one of the few rock veterans that had managed to stay vital within the second decade of his career.
(15 March 2003) Performed at the anti-war "One Big No" concert at Shepherds Bush Empire, London.
He was a member of Band Aid in 1984 and when Bono didnt turn up for the performance of "Do They Know Its Christmas?" on BBC televisions "Top of the Pops", he mimed the U2 frontmans line.
Singer/songwriter/guitarist for The Jam from 1975 until its demise in 1982, releasing six studio albums from 1977 to 1982. He then led The Style Council from 1983 until 1990, releasing six more studio albums. He has been a solo artist ever since, releasing the studio albums "Paul Weller" , "Wild Wood" , "Stanley Road" , "Heavy Soul" , "Heliocentric" , "Illumination" and "As is Now" . In addition to his studio albums, he has released a live album, a greatest hits album and a collection of odds and ends (2004s "Fly on the Wall").
A member of Red Wedge, an association of left-wing celebrities who campaigned for the Labour Party in the 1987 British general election.
He was the winner of the Brit Award for British Male Solo Artist in two consecutive years, 1995 and 1996. He also won the 2005 Q magazine Outstanding Contribution to Music Award and the 2006 Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution.
Winner of the 1995 Brit Award for British Male Solo Artist.
Winner of the 2006 Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution.
Winner of the 2005 Q Outstanding Contribution to Music Award.
He allegedly declined a C.B.E. (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 2007 for his services to music.
A fan of soul music. "Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul" is one of his favorite albums.
Weller publicly opposed Paul Simon s decision to record his album Graceland in apartheid South Africa in the 1980s. When Simon played the first of six nights at Londons Royal Albert Hall on April 7 1987, Weller joined Jerry Dammers and Billy Bragg in protesting outside and delivered a letter demanding that Simon give a "complete and heartfelt apology to the UN General Assembly".
Paul and his wife Hannah are reportedly expecting twins in April 2012.
Musician.
[speaking in 2006] There are more important things in my life now to,write about than politics.
No edge, no attitude, no nothing.
The Jam were a good band, however I feel that the Style Council were,better. A lot of people I know will disagree with me. Some things we,did with The Style Council were misinterpreted or over their heads.
So, it would be utterly pointless me accepting it.
I had a total belief in The Style Council. I meant every word and felt,every action.
They gave me a broadly socialist viewpoint and made me reappraise,everything.
There were all those faded-denim, post-prog stadium bands, and the US,rock thing. The Feelgoods cut right through all that. Hearing Down By,The Jetty for the first time, at the age of 17, was just what I wanted.
I borrowed the LP off a mate and kept hold of it as long as I could.
Then I went and bought my own.
