Share
Paul Weller Fan Podcast
Suggs - The Story of 66
Step into the world of British music legends with our latest podcast episode, featuring an in-depth conversation with Suggs, the charismatic frontman of Madness.
This episode is a treasure trove for music enthusiasts, offering a rare glimpse into the collaborative process behind Paul Weller's newest album, '66'.
Suggs, known for his vibrant personality and profound musical insights, takes us on a journey through his storied career and his enduring friendship with Paul Weller. From their early days gigging in London to the present-day creation of '66', Suggs shares anecdotes that are both entertaining and enlightening.
One of the highlights of the episode is the discussion about the album opener, 'Ship of Fools'. Suggs reveals the inspiration behind the lyrics, initially penned with his band in mind, but later transformed into a broader commentary on societal and political issues. This track, with its jaunty piano and cutting lyrics, sets the tone for an album rich in collaboration and creative exploration.
Another standout moment is the story behind the song 'Nothing', a heartfelt piece written by Suggs' best friend, Chalky. This song, which speaks to the theme of coming from nothing but having each other, resonates deeply with listeners. Suggs recounts how he shared Chalky's poem with Paul Weller, who then brought it to life with his musical genius.
The episode also delves into the cultural impact of music in the late seventies and early eighties, a time when singles were king and bands like The Jam and Madness were at the forefront of the music scene. Suggs reflects on the healthy competition between bands and the significance of the seven-inch single during that era.
Listeners will appreciate Suggs' candid reflections on the evolution of Madness, from their early days to their recent number one album. He shares amusing anecdotes, such as selling albums at Camden Market and the surreal experience of competing with artists like Taylor Swift and Drake for chart positions.
This episode is more than just a conversation about music; it's a celebration of the creative process and the enduring friendships that fuel it. Suggs' stories are a testament to the power of collaboration and the joy of making music with friends.
Whether you're a die-hard fan of Paul Weller, a Madness enthusiast, or simply a lover of great music stories, this episode is a must-listen.
Find podcast show notes and sign up for regular information at PaulWellerFanPodcast.com
More episodes
View all episodes
43. Matt Askem - Live Music Director - Hyde Park, Braehead, Studio 150, As Is Now...
36:25||Season 3, Ep. 43In this episode, I’m joined by acclaimed live film director Matt Askem, a creative force behind some of the most iconic concert films of the last 25 years. From capturing the raw intensity of Paul Weller on stage to working with global superstars like Adele, U2, Muse and Take That, Matt has spent decades translating live music into cinematic storytelling.We dive into the making of Weller’s 2000s concert films, the challenges of filming massive crowds versus intimate venues, and how Matt’s perspective has evolved from fast-cut MTV-era energy to a more timeless visual style. He shares behind-the-scenes stories from Hyde Park, Braehead, Studio 150, and the legendary 100 Club, along with reflections on creativity, collaboration, and what makes artists like Weller so enduring.It’s a fascinating conversation about music, filmmaking, and the art of capturing performance at its most authentic.Check out Matt's incredible portfolio here
42. Roger Armstrong - Rock On + Chiswick / Ace Records
20:29||Season 3, Ep. 42In this episode, I’m joined by Roger Armstrong - co-founder of the legendary Rock On record shop and the Chiswick label - to talk about his unique vantage point on Paul Weller’s earliest days.Long before record deals, Roger knew Paul as a meticulous record buyer, hunting for Motown and soul 45s at his Soho Market stall.We explore the lost world of seven-inch singles, the importance of B-sides, and how that deep, physical relationship with records helped shape Paul Weller’s musical values from the very beginning.Roger also shares first-hand memories of the Jam’s formative period, including the legendary Soho Market performance powered off a lightbulb, near-misses around signing the band, and how Polydor ultimately swooped in.Along the way, he reflects on the explosion of punk, pub rock’s role as a bridge, encounters with Joe Strummer, and why seeing bands before fame mattered most. A lovely chat about records, scenes, and shared memory - and a reminder that the core of Paul Weller’s musical DNA was set long before the charts ever noticed.
41. Keith Cameron - Music Writer - Sounds, NME, Mojo
29:31||Season 3, Ep. 41A journalist since 1988, Keith Cameron is currently a contributing editor at MOJO, with a career that’s taken him from Sounds and NME to bylines in the Guardian, The Times, Kerrang! and Q. In this episode, Keith talks about discovering The Jam in the punk era, growing up in the Highlands, and the lengths he went to just to get to gigs - finally seeing The Style Council at university. He gives an honest glimpse into interviewing Paul Weller, from nerve-racking moments on tour buses to frank discussions about Heavy Soul, along with stories of superfans, music press dramas, and the behind-the-scenes world of MOJO. Keith also reflects on the changing landscape of music journalism, why our adolescent music memories stick with us, and what makes Paul Weller’s creative drive so enduring.
40. Dee C. Lee - Singer, Songwriter - The Style Council, Solo, Wham! and more...
01:22:00||Season 3, Ep. 40For this special episode, I bring you a conversation with Dee C. Lee - singer, songwriter and essential member of The Style Council.This chat was recorded in a riverside pub back in January 2025 for my book Paul Weller: Dancing Through The Fire and Dee has been kind enough to let me share this as a podcast episode. What better timing than the release week for the new Café Bleu Deluxe Edition boxset!From her early breakthrough as a backing singer with Wham! to Paul Weller inviting her to Solid Bond Studios, Dee recalls how she became part of a new band without fully realising the shadow The Jam cast - and how quickly she found her place at the heart of it.She reflects on life inside The Style Council: the collaborative atmosphere at Solid Bond, the camaraderie and chaos of touring, muddy misadventures at Glastonbury, nerves at Live Aid, and the confidence she developed performing her own material alongside the band.She also speaks candidly about creativity, motherhood, stepping away from the spotlight, and finding her way back to music on her own terms.
39. John Mealing - Composer and Arranger - The Style Council
23:17||Season 3, Ep. 39In this episode of the Paul Weller Fan Podcast, I talk to composer and arranger John Mealing, whose work helped define The Style Council’s orchestral and cinematic edge. John shares how he first connected with Paul Weller, starting with 'Shout To The Top', and goes deep into the making of Our Favourite Shop, The Cost of Loving and Confessions of a Pop Group - including strings, horns, live performances and studio experiments.Along the way, John reflects on his jazz roots, his unlikely journey into arranging, and a parallel career creating some of British television’s most memorable theme tunes. He also offers a warm, revealing portrait of Paul Weller as a collaborator - meticulous, open-eared, and deeply committed to the music - and explains why, decades on, The Style Council’s boldest work is finally getting its due.
38. Jon 'Mojo' Mills - Shindig! Magazine founder and Editor-In-Chief
40:47||Season 3, Ep. 38My guest on this episode is Jon 'Mojo' Mills - founder and editor-in-chief of Shindig! magazine, lifelong mod, and someone whose life has been shaped, in very real ways, by the music of Paul Weller.Jon discovered The Jam at the age of ten, too young to see them live but old enough for the music, the look, and the ethos to completely take hold. From The Jam to The Style Council, through the solo years, right up to the present day, Paul’s work has been a constant presence in Jon’s life - not just as a fan, but eventually as a journalist, collaborator, and trusted voice within Weller’s world.In this conversation, originally recorded for my book, we talk about childhood fandom, mod identity, tribalism, music discovery, and what it’s like when your teenage hero becomes someone you share playlists, texts, and cups of tea with...
37. David Holmes - Visionary Belfast musician, composer, producer, and DJ
30:29||Season 3, Ep. 37On this episode, I’m joined by the visionary Belfast musician, composer, producer, and DJ, David Holmes. From soundtracking iconic films to collaborating with giants of UK music, David’s career is one of creative restlessness and fearless activism... The biggest surprise is that it's taken this long for him to collaborate with Paul Weller!We’ll dive into his formative years discovering Paul Weller through the music of The Jam, his journey through club culture, and how those bonds came full circle - culminating in a collaboration with Paul Weller on the song 'Resistance in the Dark' and the creation of The Five Techniques collective, a movement rooted in humanity and protest. Together we explore the intertwining of music and activism, Paul Weller’s legacy of speaking truth to power, and why artists can’t afford to stay silent in the face of global injustice. A candid, passionate conversation on what happens when creativity meets conscience, and the ongoing power of resistance in both art and life.
36. Sheema Mukherjee - Composer and Sitar Player
18:47||Season 3, Ep. 36On this episode, I am joined by a true musician’s musician whose artistry crosses borders and genres. Sheema Mukherjee is a sitar prodigy, composer, and band member with Transglobal Underground and The Imagined Village (where she first played with Paul Weller) - fusing her deep-rooted Indian classical tradition with cutting-edge British musical innovation. We talk about her family musical heritage, her powerful approach to emotion and improvisation, and how she developed her unique language on the sitar. We’ll explore Sheema’s session at Paul Weller’s Black Barn studio, where she not only played on the song 'Books' for the True Meanings LP, but also contributed a Sanskrit prayer, lending both authenticity and spiritual resonance to the record and Paul's Other Aspects Royal Festival Hall concerts.
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...