Paul Weller is an English singer-songwriter and musician who has been active in the British music scene for over forty years.
He is best known as the leader of the new wave/mod revival band Jam, the blue-eyed soul band Style Council, and as a successful solo artist with a diverse and influential musical style.
He is known as the “Modfather” for reviving mod culture and inspiring many British rock bands such as Oasis.
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- Full name: Paul John Weller
- Nickname: Modfather
- Date of Birth: May 25, 1958
- Age: 65
- Gender: Male
- Birthplace: Woking, Surrey, England
- Nationality: British
- Occupation: Singer-songwriter, musician
- Height: 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in)
- Parents: John Weller (father), Ann Weller (née Craddock) (mother)
- Siblings: Nicky Weller (brother)
- Spouse: Hannah Andrews (m. 2010)
- Children: Nat Weller, Leah Weller, Dylan Weller, Jessamine Weller, Stevie Weller, Bowie Weller, Nova Weller
- Marital status: Married
- Net worth: $10 million
Early life and education
Paul Weller, 65, was born on May 25, 1958 in Woking, Surrey, England, to John and Ann Weller.
His father is a taxi driver and construction worker, his mother is a part-time cleaner, and he has a younger brother, Nicky, who is also a musician.
Weller was originally named John William Weller, but his parents changed his name to Paul when he was an infant.
In 1963, he began his education at Mayberry County School No. 1, where he fell in love with music, especially the Beatles, The Who, and the Small Faces.
At age 11, he began learning to play guitar and attended Sheerwater County Middle School, where he met his future bandmates.
He developed an interest in 1960s mod culture, riding a Lambretta scooter, wearing mohair suits, and playing a Rickenbacker guitar.
In 1972, he formed the first version of the Jam Band with his best friends Steve Brooks (lead guitar) and Dave Waller (rhythm guitar), and later Rick Buckler (drums) and Bruce Foxton (bass) joined.
Weller’s father acted as their manager and booked gigs at local working men’s clubs, where they played Beatles covers as well as original songs written by Weller and Brooks.
Personal life
Paul Weller was married three times and had eight children. His first wife was Dee C. Lee, who was a backing singer for the band Wham! and a member of the Style Council.
They married in 1988 and had two children, Natt and Leah, before divorcing in 1994. His second wife is makeup artist Samantha Stock.
They married in 1996 and had two children, Dylan and Jesamine, before separating in 2006. His third and current wife is Hannah Andrews, who is a backing singer in his solo band.
They married in 2010 and have four children: Stevie, Bowie, Nova and Mac. Weller is a vegetarian and a supporter of animal rights. He is also a football fan, supporting Woking Football Club and Chelsea Football Club.
Profession
Paul Weller’s career can be divided into three phases: the improvisation phase, the Style Council phase and his solo work.
He has worked with many other artists such as Noel Gallagher, Paul McCartney, Amy Winehouse and Gorillaz.
jam:
The Jam were one of the most popular and influential bands of the late 1970s and early 1980s, blending the energy and attitude of punk rock with the melodies and modern aesthetics of the 1960s.
Weller was the band’s primary songwriter, singer, and guitarist, writing songs that reflected the social and political issues of the time, such as unemployment, racism, class conflict, and youth culture.
The Jam had 18 consecutive singles in the UK top 40, including four number one singles: “Go underground”, “Go!” “Named “Malicious Town” and “Defeated Surrender”.
They have also released six studio albums, the most critically acclaimed of which is 1978’s “All Mod Cons”, 1979’s “Setting Sons” and 1980’s “Sound Affects”.
The Jam disbanded in 1982 at the peak of its popularity as Weller wanted to explore new musical directions.
Style Committee:
The Style Council was Weller’s next project, formed in 1983 with keyboardist Mick Talbot, formerly of the Merton Parkas band.
Style Council was very different from Jam, experimenting with a variety of musical styles including soul, jazz, funk, pop and house.
Weller also took on a more mature and cosmopolitan image, wearing designer clothes and sunglasses and singing songs about love, politics and social justice.
British Fashion Council had 19 singles enter the UK top 40, including two number two singles: “Shout to the Top” and “The Walls Are Falling Down.”
They have also released five studio albums, the most successful of which is “Café Bleu” (1984), “Our Favorite Shop” (1985) and “The Price of Love” (1987).
The Style Council disbanded in 1989 after its final album, Modernism: The New Decade, was rejected by its record company.
solo:
Weller began his solo career in 1990 with a self-titled album that marked a return to his roots in rock and modern music.
He gradually regained critical and commercial success and became one of Britain’s most respected and influential artists.
He has released 16 solo albums, the latest being Fat Pop (Volume 1) (2021). His most acclaimed albums include “Wild Wood” in 1993, “Stanley Road” in 1995, 22 Dreams (2008) and “Sonik Kicks” (2012).
He also has 28 UK top 40 singles, including two number one singles: “Shaper” and “Peacock dress”.
He has won four Brit Awards, including Best British Male Vocalist three times and the 2006 Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music.
He has also been nominated for the Mercury Prize four times and received the Ivor Novello Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010.
dispute
Paul Weller has been involved in several controversies during his career, mostly related to his political views, musical choices, and personal life.
Some of the most notable ones are:
- In 1977, at the height of the punk rock movement, he was arrested and fined for spray-painting “The Jam” on a wall in Brighton.
- In 1981, he caused a sensation when he appeared on the cover of the New Musical Express (NME) wearing a Nazi-style armband, which he claimed was a symbol of his anti-fascist stance.
- In 1985, he was criticised by some fans and the media for his support for the Labour Party and the “Red Wedge” campaign, which aimed to mobilise young people to vote against Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative government.
- In 1989, when he tried house music and teamed up with Style Council drummer and brother-in-law Steve White, he was accused of selling out and losing credibility.
- In 1994, he divorced his first wife, Dee C. Lee, and began an affair with a young woman named Samantha Stock, who then filed for divorce and demanded alimony.
- In 2006, he got into an argument with a photographer outside a London nightclub over his objection to him taking photos.
- In 2012, he won a landmark privacy case against the Daily Mail, which had published photos of his children without his consent.
Social Media
- Instagram: @paulwellerhq
- Twitter: @paulwellerHQ
Filmography
- The kids are fine.
- Absolute beginner
- The Secret Police’s Third Ball
- Onsite assistance
Discography
- A Town Called Malice
- Wildwood
- You did something to me
- Do they know it’s Christmas?
- You are the best
- sunflower
- Shapeshifter
- Breaking stones
net worth
Paul Weller’s net worth is estimated to be around $10 million.
His wealth is derived from a long and successful music career as well as royalties, endorsements, and merchandise revenue.
