On this episode of The Paul Weller Fan Podcast, I am joined by the award-winning stand-up comedian, broadcaster and podcaster, Ian Stone.

A huge fan of The Jam and Paul Weller since discovering the band in 1977 via John Peel's late night show on Radio One, Ian published his first book in 2020 – To Be Someone – a memoir about one teenager’s obsession with The Jam…

Paul Weller commented “I really liked this book. I’d forgotten how shit it was in the seventies”…

We dive into his memory band from hearing that first single to attending live concerts and soundchecks and that specia the connection with the music, the lyrics and the look of the band...

In May 1977, The Jam made their mark on the music scene with the release of their debut single, In The City. However, in the midst of this musical revolution, Britain was grappling with widespread discontent, and young Ian Stone's household was no exception. A fourteen-year-old navigating the challenges of school, witnessing Arsenal's dismal football performances, and enduring his parents' crumbling marriage, Ian's life seemed far from idyllic. Beyond his personal struggles, the nation was grappling with its own demons - racial tensions, violence, inner-city riots, police scandals, rising unemployment, and the looming threat of terrorism.

But in 1978, one fateful evening would change Ian's life forever. The Jam took the stage at London's Music Machine, igniting an electrifying atmosphere with their iconic sound. As they launched into ninety minutes of unforgettable pop tunes, Ian's world was transformed. The sheer exhilaration of that moment eclipsed anything he had ever experienced.

To Be Someone is a vivid account of the five years Ian spent captivated by his obsession with The Jam. He took on weekend jobs to fund his gig attendance, embarked on daring escapades like sneaking onto the roof of the Hammersmith Odeon, and narrowly escaped eviction from a Brighton hotel, only to be saved by none other than Paul Weller himself, who invited Ian and his friends back into the bar.

Above all, the book serves as a heartfelt tribute to the band that guided Ian, and countless others, through the tumultuous landscape of Britain in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

When Paul Weller eventually announced The Jam's breakup, Ian was left devastated.

Yet, for him and the legions who embarked on that transformative five-year journey, their enduring love for the band remains unwavering.

To Be Someone captures not only the spirit of a generation but also the indelible impact of The Jam's music on the lives of its ardent fans during a pivotal era in British history.

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