It’s been a pretty frantic time, a family move from Lancashire to a new base in deepest Cornwall this time last month compounded by further edits and late-door shenanigans regarding my latest publication, Solid Bond In Your Heart: A People’s History of The Jam.
A labour of love for much of this year, and the follow-up to my Slade tome for the same publisher, Spenwood Books, it’s finally come together… to a point where – victims of our success – a large chunk of material is being held back for a second volume I’m already working on, a more personalised and in-depth take on the story of Woking’s finest, of which I’ll let on more nearer the time.
In the meantime, the book I was initially commissioned to compile and edit alongside publisher and fellow author, Richard Houghton, is almost ready to roll off the presses, and includes – I can now proudly reveal – a foreword from a certain Paul Weller and an afterword from much-loved broadcaster, presenter and Jam fan Gary Crowley. That, plus more than 500 Jam fan memories, lots of great fan photos, and added words from notable insiders, including select quotes from Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler plus the likes of Steve Brookes, Mick Talbot and Nicky Weller, all from my past feature-interviews. Fans and friends, musical peers, those they met on the road and joined the tours… they’re all in there.
If you’ve already pre-ordered Solid Bond in Your Heart, thank you. Your support is much appreciated. If you haven’t, you have until this Saturday, 30th November to place an order for the book if you want your name (or that of someone else) printed within as a sponsor. For more details, click on this link.
In short, it’s fair to say the finished product provides a gripping portrait of ‘the best f*cking band in the world’, as John Weller put it, concentrating on not only the music, but also the clothes, the legacy, the vibe and sheer(water) drama of those halcyon days, from the band’s pub and working men’s club days on the South-East scene to that elevation to London then national and international stardom, following the story up to the end of 1982 when this vital Surrey three-piece parted ways, going out at the very top of their game.
The book goes to print in early December, with publication set for mid-May, but those who pre-order should receive their copies by mid-February. This past couple of weeks I’ve scoured the current pdf version and can confirm it’s a winner. So many great tales and lots of wonderful added colour. I’m really excited about this book, and hope you’ll love it too.
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