The Jam's Rick Buckler 'Paul Weller doesn't want a reunion stealing his thunder' EXCLUSIVE

The icon punk band may have only lasted a decade, but their appeal and influence is still felt across the genres almost 50 years later.

Original members Paul Weller, Rick Buckler and Bruce Foxton have gone on to start their own solo careers, with the latter two even playing in a spin-off called From The Jam.

However the idea of The Jam reuniting has been something fans have wanted since the big split in 1982.

Now in an exclusive interview with Express.co.uk, The Jam’s drummer Rick has revealed what really happened, why Paul won’t talk to other bandmates and why a Jam reunion cannot happen.

On the 1982 break up, Rick said: “Well at the time it seemed like the weirdest thing to do because we were at the top of our game and everything had gone well. There was nothing wrong with anything as far as anybody could see and it didn’t seem like the right thing to do at the time. Paul said to us in the summer that he wanted to break the band up. 

“We acted in, I suppose, a very gentlemanly way and accepted the fact that if that was how he felt there was nothing we can do to persuade him. So we made all the arrangements to tidy up our affairs as we marched towards the end of the year. We had certain commitments to fulfil – shows and that sort of thing.

“I remember feeling at the time that maybe he would change his mind because he was definitely throwing the baby out with the bath water with the break up of the band so it did seem like a very strange thing to do. 

“You talk to any Jam fans and they really felt we belonged to them as much as they belonged to us and it didn’t seem to make any sense to anybody. I think Paul came up with all sorts of funny ideas about how it would make the band mean something if we split it up. But I think the band already did mean something to anybody who was a fan of the band anyway so I don’t think that excuse holds much water.”

Rick also mentioned how over the years he and Bruce have tried to stay in contact with Paul, but he just keep blanking them.

The drummer continued: “Myself and Bruce made lots and lots of approaches to Paul to stay in touch with him after the band split and he would not talk to us. We didn’t really understand what all that was about. It’s not that I won’t talk to him it’s that he won’t talk to us. 

“I think once you fall out of Paul’s bubble that’s it. I don’t think he’s got all that many friends in any case. It seems very strange that that’s always been his attitude – whether it’s friends or girlfriends – when you fall out of his circle you’re out completely.”

Rick added: “He’s said categorically there will not be a Jam reunion but I’ve got a sneaky feeling that one of the reasons is that it would maybe steal his thunder because one of the things that people always say, the first thing you mention when you talk about Paul Weller or myself or Bruce is The Jam reforming. 

“They don’t talk about what Paul’s new single is like! One of the first questions that comes up is: ‘When are The Jam getting back together?’ 

“I don’t think the question is going to go away but Paul’s dug his heels in and it takes three to tango in this case.”

Rick Buckler is an ambassador for Bombardier – celebrating those who’ve always marched to their own drum as part of their A Pint With a Unique Character campaign.