Born John William Weller in Stanley Road, Sheerwater, (Near Woking), Surrey on 25 May 1958.An English Singer / Songwriter, and Previous Leader of Two Bands: Jam, The and Style Council, The. In England, He is Recognised as Something of a National Institution Yet, Because Much of His Song-Writing 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 Jam, The 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, The in the ?80s and Oasis (2) in the ?90s. 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, The 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-?90s, 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.
Born John William Weller in Stanley Road, Woking, he was also a central figure in the Mod revival.
As the leader of the Jam, Paul Weller fronted the most popular British band of the punk era, influencing legions of English rockers that ranged from his mod-revival contemporaries to the Smiths in the '80s and Oasis in the '90s. During the final days of the Jam, he developed a fascination with Motown and soul, which led him to form the sophisti-pop group the Style Council in 1983. As the Style Council's career progressed, Weller's interest in soul developed into an infatuation with jazz-pop and house music, which eventually led to gradual erosion of his audience ? by 1990, he couldn't get a record contract in the UK, where he had previously been worshipped as a demi-god. 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 rootsier than the Style Council, which helped him regain his popularity within Britain. By the mid-'90s, he had released three successful albums which were both critically-acclaimed and massively popular in England, where contemporary bands like Ocean Colour Scene were citing him as an influence. Just as importantly, many observers, while occasionally criticizing 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.
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From Wikipedia:Paul Weller (born John William Weller on 25 May 1958) is an English singer-songwriter.
Starting with the mod/punk-rock band ?The Jam? (1976?1982), Weller then went on to branch out musically to a more soulful style with the Style Council (1983?1989). In 1991 he re-established himself as a successful solo artist, and continues to remain a respected singer, lyricist and guitarist, a fact reaffirmed by his awarding of the 2009 BRIT award for Best Male Solo Artist.. He has remained a national rather than an international star, and much of his songwriting is rooted in British culture. He is also the principal figure of the 1970s and 80s mod revival and is often referred to as the Modfather.