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Paul Weller Fan Podcast
Dancing Through the Fire - The Big Reveal
Season 3, Ep. 6
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Join me for the announcement of Paul Weller: Dancing Through the Fire: The Authorised Oral History by Dan Jennings
The groundbreaking oral history on one of the most legendary musicians of all time - Paul Weller
‘Nearly 50 years in music? How is that possible? When Dan mentioned that he’d interviewed over 250 people for this, I didn’t even know that I knew that many people… but he’s done it in a way that shows that it’s more than just about me, it’s the story of everyone who was there along the way’ Paul Weller
Across musical history, certain artists have transcended their craft to become cultural icons, leaving an indelible mark on the world of sound and style. Paul Weller, the legendary British musician, singer and songwriter, stands among the select few whose influence spans generations. His enduring popularity, traversing the explosive energy of The Jam to the sophisticated sounds of The Style Council and a prolific solo career spanning over thirty years, underscores the timeless appeal of his work. Weller also holds a unique position in music history: he shares the rare distinction with Lennon and McCartney as one of the few artists to achieve Number 1 albums in five consecutive decades.
Dancing Through the Fire explores the fascinating narrative of Paul Weller’s musical career, weaving together never-before-told stories, intimate insights, and perspectives from the man himself and those who have been integral to his remarkable journey.
With unique access to his inner circle - including family, friends, bandmates, producers, and long-time collaborators - award-winning broadcaster and journalist Dan Jennings weaves together over 200 hours of conversations, allowing exclusive access to the man behind the music, including his unparalleled drive, creative struggles and personal triumphs that have shaped his iconic career and legacy.
Endlessly candid, insightful and definitive in its approach, Dancing Through the Fire captures the essence of Weller’s musical evolution through the voices of those who know him best.
Dan Jennings is a journalist, former radio presenter, and multi-award-winning content creator. His acclaimed Paul Weller Fan Podcast, Desperately Seeking Paul, debuted in December 2020, and featured 180 in-depth interviews, culminating in a two-hour conversation with Weller himself. The series’ success led to Dan’s involvement in the official marketing of Paul’s seventeenth solo studio album, 66, and a nomination for Best Music Podcast at the 2024 Independent Podcast Awards. Dancing Through the Fire is his first book.
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35. Peter Watts - Journalist & Author
36:01||Season 3, Ep. 35When I started on the extra interviews for my book, Paul Weller: Dancing Through the Fire, back in July 2024, Journalist and author, Peter Watts was one of the first people that I chatted to. He has written for Uncut, the Guardian and Sunday Times, and has also written a book about the history of Denmark Street: London’s Street Of Sound. He has done some superb interviews with Paul Weller on many occasions including on tour in the US so it was a real delight to capture his memories.For fans of Paul Weller and those fascinated by the inner workings of music journalism, this episode provides a lovely insight into the connection between journalist and artist. Peter discusses his journey from discovering The Jam and The Style Council as a latecomer in the '90s, to interviewing Paul Weller for major publications like Uncut. With stories that span meeting the band in San Francisco, sitting backstage at legendary venues, and exploring Paul’s ongoing search for artistic independence, Peter reveals the human side of a musical icon who’s far more interested in what's next than what's just been released.We also explore the challenges of modern music writing - how the craft has shifted from acerbic reviews to celebrating artistic achievement, and why Paul Weller’s willingness to share his personal battles and musical passions make him such a compelling subject. Listening to Peter’s stories, you'll get a sense of Paul’s enduring restlessness, his aversion to nostalgia, and the realities of the creative life in an age where albums can peak and then vanish in an instant...
34. Stuart Watts - Director Paul Weller Into Tomorrow Documentary (2006)
29:08||Season 3, Ep. 34On this episode, I chat to Stuart Watts - a producer and director whose credits include acclaimed music documentaries for artists as varied as Paul Weller, Marc Bolan, Andrea Bocelli, Jeff Wayne, and Jeff Beck - along with legendary icons outside of music such as Muhammad Ali and Christopher Reeve.Stuart was the driving force behind Paul Weller: Into Tomorrow, the 2006 documentary that, for the first time, captured Paul’s whole story: from his childhood in Woking through The Jam, The Style Council and his solo years. A lifelong Jam fan himself, Stuart took inspiration from The Kid Stays in the Picture to let Paul narrate his own journey, resulting in a film full of candid reflection, unseen footage, and intimate moments. In this conversation, Stuart lifts the lid on the making of the documentary, working directly with Paul and his family, and the responsibility - and thrill - of telling the story of an artist you’ve idolised your entire life.
33. Tom Robinson - Musician, Broadcaster & Activist - on Paul Weller, The Jam, Red Wedge and More
30:28||Season 3, Ep. 33On this episode of The Paul Weller Fan Podcast, I’m joined by someone whose impact on British music and activism can’t be overstated - Tom Robinson.This conversation was originally recorded for my upcoming book, Paul Weller: Dancing Through the Fire – The Authorised Oral History, and I’m delighted to share it with you now as a podcast episode.Tom first exploded onto the UK music scene with the Tom Robinson Band in the late ‘70s, breaking new ground as a musician and as an outspoken advocate for LGBT rights, anti-racism and political activism. Hits like “2-4-6-8 Motorway” and “Glad To Be Gay” made him a central figure in the punk and post-punk years - the very years that saw The Jam and Paul Weller coming up in parallel. We dive into those formative years, Tom’s memories of the punk scene, what set Weller and The Jam apart, and later, the Red Wedge tour, where Tom truly got to know Paul as both a bandleader and a person.This is a conversation about music as rebellion, about the importance of remaining grounded, about using a platform for collective good.
32. Ted Kessler - Music Writer & Editor - NME, Q, The New Cue
44:04||Season 3, Ep. 32In this episode of the podcast, I am joined by Ted Kessler - a music writer who’s lived out the ultimate fan’s journey with Paul Weller.As a London kid, he spent his pocket money on Jam singles and memorised the lyrics before he even owned the records. After moving to Paris, he’d receive the NME a week late, schooling himself on Weller, The Style Council, and British pop by long-distance.Years later, Ted found himself writing for the very paper he once treated as gospel. Over decades at NME and Q, he’s interviewed Paul Weller, reviewed his gigs and albums, and - more than once - found himself on the receiving end of the artist’s forthright opinions, including the infamous “get the train to Woking and try it” challenge after a mixed Stanley Road review.Ted is also the author of the memoir Paper Cuts: How I Destroyed The British Music Press and Other Misdemeanours (which includes a heap of Paul Weller related stories), and To Ease My Troubled Mind: the Authorised Unauthorised Biography of Billy Childish. He also devised and edited My Old Man: Tales Of Our Fathers (which included a contribution from Paul about his dad, John). Ted also co-edits The New Cue, a music newsletter delivered three times a week to subscribers.
31. Graham Coxon - Blur / Solo Artist / The WAEVE shares stories of influence, creativity and working with Paul Weller
44:28||Season 3, Ep. 31My guest on this episode of The Paul Weller Fan Podcast is one of the most inventive and distinctive guitarists of his generation - the co-founder and guitarist of Blur, a prolific solo artist, and a musician whose restless creativity has taken him from Britpop to freeform jazz, from noisy riffs to tender melodies.Graham Coxon has collaborated with Paul Weller on some fantastic projects over the years - the sharp-edged 'This Old Town' (2007), the soulful 'Black River' from the 22 Dreams album in 2008 and the swirling 'Dragonfly' from Sonik Kicks being just some examples, along with the gloriously chaotic 'Bankbusted Nuclear Detergent Blues', alongside Weller, Damon Albarn, and the poet Michael Horovitz.From discovering The Jam as a teenager and picking up his sister’s old guitar, to standing on stage years later beside his musical hero - this is the story of admiration, influence, and a shared love of great British songwriting.
30. Cat Santos and Sodge Adams - Fifth Column - Classic T-Shirts
37:14||Season 3, Ep. 30In this episode of the Paul Weller Fan Podcast, I chat to Cat Santos and Sodge Adams, two of the creative minds behind Fifth Column, the pioneering screen-printing collective that helped define the look of Punk and Mod culture in late-1970s London.Fifth Column started when a group of friends decided to design and print - by hand - punk rock t-shirts for bands like X-Ray Spex, The Clash, The Jam, and The Damned. After creating the artwork on paper and curing the shirts in tumble dryers at a laundrette on Kilburn High Road, they sold them outside London gigs.From Camden Market and Kings Road to working with Paul Weller, John Weller, Cat and Sodge share memories of printing iconic imagery, climbing drainpipes to get into gigs, and living the chaos and creativity of the era.As the conversation unfolds, they reflect on how the Punk ethos evolved into political activism through Red Wedge and campaigns like Anti-Apartheid and Coal Not Dole. From surviving a devastating factory fire to designing artwork for All Mod Cons and Setting Sons, Fifth Column’s story is one of resilience, collaboration, and rebellion.It’s a vivid portrait of DIY innovation - and of how a few friends with screens, ink, and ideas helped shape the visual identity of a generation.
29. Jonathan Ross on Paul Weller: Punk, Mod, and the Soundtrack of a Lifetime
53:34||Season 3, Ep. 29Jonathan Ross has been a familiar face and voice in British broadcasting since the late 1980s. From his early days hosting Channel 4’s The Last Resort, he’s gone on to become one of the country’s most recognisable presenters, known for his sharp humour and genuine curiosity. Whether it’s chatting with global superstars on The Jonathan Ross Show, judging the wild antics on The Masked Singer, or sharing his love of film on “Reel Talk” with his daughter Honey, Jonathan’s career has always been about connecting with people and celebrating culture in all its forms.Yet, for all the celebrity encounters and TV moments, Jonathan is, at heart, a passionate music fan - and Paul Weller’s work has been a constant thread through his life. In this episode, recorded for my book Paul Weller: Dancing Through the Fire - The Authorised Oral History, Jonathan shares his memories of buying The Jam’s 'In the City' on release day, hitchhiking to see the band as a teenager, and later welcoming Weller onto his TV shows at pivotal moments in his solo career. It’s a conversation about the thrill of punk, the evolution of fandom, and the enduring power of Paul Weller’s music to inspire, challenge, and connect.Order your copy of the book at geni.us/dancingthroughthefire
28. Paul Moody - Writer & Musician - "Weller was always a gateway to something new - music, books, art, fashion.”
35:58||Season 3, Ep. 28My guest on this episode is Paul Moody - journalist, author, musician (his band is The Studio 68!), and a man whose journey with Paul Weller’s music has spanned decades.From discovering The Jam as a teenager in North London, to interviewing Paul for the NME during the Stanley Road era, to the DVD interviews for As Is Now and writing sleeve notes for Wake Up the Nation...We talk about the seismic impact of The Jam, the Style Council and Paul's ability to push boundaries, the creative rebirth of the solo years, and what it’s like to go from being in the crowd to sitting in Paul’s living room.This is a dive into fandom, music journalism, and the enduring legacy of one of Britain’s greatest songwriters...
27. Phil Bickley - Founder of Tonic London, co-creator of Real Stars Are Rare with Paul Weller
18:10||Season 3, Ep. 27This week on The Paul Weller Fan Podcast, I’m joined by Phil Bickley - founder of London menswear store Tonic and co-creator of the Paul Weller clothing label Real Stars Are Rare.Phil’s story is a fascinating mix of music, fashion, and friendship. We talk about how his admiration for The Style Council soundtracked his post-rave comedowns in the early ’90s, how Weller first walked into his shop and bought a belt, and how that encounter led to a full-blown creative partnership.From sketching ideas on scraps of paper to launching a successful menswear brand, Phil shares what it was like working side by side with one of Britain’s most stylish musicians. We also explore the challenges of balancing creativity with business realities - and the mutual respect that kept their collaboration grounded.Phil’s insights into Weller’s eye for clothes, his “upside-down triangle” physique, and the shared spirit behind Real Stars Are Rare offer a new perspective on Paul’s lifelong relationship with style and substance.