I wanted to shout to the top and from the rooftops about all this last week… but then came Tuesday’s devastating breaking news about Rick Buckler, and everything (quite rightly) went on hold.

That all remains very much on my mind, as is the case with Jam fans everywhere. However, some things are worth celebrating, and I like to think – as confirmed by some of the lovely feedback already received – that the newly-published Solid Bond In Your Heart: A People’s History of The Jam (the premise of which was first introduced on these pages a little over a year ago, in January 2024, that feature copied here, and then again in late November 2024, with that linked here) does Rick proud, as it does his former bandmates, Bruce Foxton and Paul Weller.

Within the book there are many lovely tributes to all three members of that classic line-up, and more than one friend has already told me they revisited their own words on seeing the book after Rick’s departure with trepidation, but then realised their contributions stood up in the circumstances. In fact, what we find about Rick on those pages shows not only the love and respect so many of us had for his musicianship and creativity, but also shines light on his humour and personality. And there’s a few great stories within that spring to mind that made me roll up, with him in mind.

I was lucky enough to interview Rick a few times (with a link to our most recent feature-interview, from January 2023, here, with further links to two more at the end) and will always treasure in particular an in-depth chat we had backstage at Preston’s 53 Degrees not long after From The Jam came together in 2007. I always found him approachable and open, and nothing seemed to be off limits in our conversations. A thoroughly decent fella, and it was such a thrill to get to speak to him – this star-struck fan properly getting to channel his inner teen. Such a masterful drummer, part of a wondrous rhythm section with Bruce Foxton, and Paul Weller has said many times he was the right choice for The Jam, who were always a group in essence. Above all he always seemed a great bloke, down to earth, a proper family man, nothing like we assume a rock star to be. And yet he had such style.

I’m sad that he never got to see the finished book, my last email still sat in Rick’s in-box, this scribe one of many who didn’t realise how understated that announcement from his promoter about postponed personal appearances was. But maybe that was the mark of the fella – no ego, just a lovely bloke who had time for so many of us. That’s certainly what I found in my own dealings with Rick, and my heart goes out to his family and close friends as they continue to get their heads around his departure.

Anyway, the night before that sad news broke, I received word via my publisher, fellow author Richard Houghton, that Paul Weller, who very kindly provided a foreword to the book – had now seen the finished product… and loved it. And his words?

‘Tell Malcolm I really love it! It’s a great, different perspective on it all. For me that says more than any biog bollox. Love it, thank you!’

So there I was, glowing. When Richard at Spenwood Books entrusted me – on the back of my Slade book (still available via this link) – with putting together this book for his People’s History series, I was hopeful of some sort of endorsement from those involved with the band, not least because of past dealings with Bruce and Rick, among others, But I really didn’t expect us to get a foreword from Paul, and I certainly couldn’t have dreamed of that winning review.

Paul’s Mod sensibilities suggested to me that anything nostalgia-based in book form about his breakthrough band could be written off as well meaning but somewhat pointless wallowing in the past. But I was keen to somehow navigate those treacherous channels and steer my way between out-and-out nostalgia and something more forward-looking that properly celebrated The Jam’s wonderful legacy… and I like to think Paul’s review suggests we got that about right.

I reckon I now need to have serious words with that Boy About Village who recalls hearing Nicky Horne play ‘The Modern World’ on Capital Radio just after his 10th birthday, and also that 15-year-old trying to get his head around Paul’s thinking in that conversation with a Nationwide reporter in blustery Brighton in late ’82; see what they make of it all.

There is a tie-in part two publication coming, this one taking a slightly different path, with hints of that already dropped by myself (with more details to follow). But right now I’ll say I’m really proud of Solid Bond In Your Heart, and Paul’s words and those of all of you who have already kindly been in touch about the finished book are music to my ears. So thanks, Paul, and thanks to everyone else who’s got on board with the book. More to the point, perhaps, a big thank you to Rick, Bruce and Paul for all they gave us in their time together as The Jam. To paraphrase a certain classic hit, what they gave us ‘will always remain’.

Spenwood Books’ Richard Houghton has been a busy lad this past couple of weeks, posting copies to all those who pre-ordered (the staff at his sub-post office in Chorlton, Manchester, must see him coming and try and lock the door as he struggles up the path), and a lot more were on their way this week. If you haven’t yet ordered, now would be a great time, with the Spenwood Books page link here. Cheers for your support, one and all.