Bruce Foxton, the legendary bassist of The Jam, has announced that he is stepping back from the the tribute band, From The Jam, pulling out of their current tour due to ongoing health issues.
The Jam emerged in the Britain in the early 1970s and was one of the defining acts of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Known for their energetic blend of punk, mod, and new wave influences, The Jam’s music captured the essence of British youth culture during that era. Their lyrics were topical, often reflecting the social and political landscape of their time.
The Jam rose to prominence with hits like Going Underground and Town Called Malice.
The band has not performed together since the final concert of their tour which took place in Brighton on the 11th of December, 1982. This was the “The Gift Tour,” named after their last studio album, The Gift. The Jam decided to disband at the height of their popularity, following the surprising announcement that Paul Webber, the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter, was leaving the band. After this show, The Jam officially split.
Since the split, Foxton has been part of the band Stiff Little Fingers, as well as joining a tribute band for his original group, titled From The Jam, who have been playing tracks from the iconic group since 2006.
The group is formed of Foxton, as well as lead vocalist and guitarist Russel Hastings, drummer Mike Randon, and keyboardist Andy Fairclough.
From The Jam are midway through a major tour. The 2024 tour, marking the 45th anniversary of The Jam’s iconic Setting Sons album, began in October 2023 and will continue through various dates across the UK in 2024 and 2025. They have 29 more tour dates spread across UK, with their final performance taking place in Belfast on the 17th of May, 2025.
However, at 10am on the 20th of August, Foxton made a heartbreaking announcement to fans that ongoing health conditions and a sudden hospital procedure has forced him to take a step back from the band:
It is with much regret and sadness that I will not be able to perform again with From the Jam until I have made a full recovery
***Message from Bruce Foxton***
Despite what @DailyMirror have posted, please see the full and official statement from #BruceFoxton . Bruce was NOT rushed to hospital and rather than “sad” this is positive news as Bruce is taking time to convalesce. @RussellHastings @guyhelliker pic.twitter.com/BSsdsqnPdK— From the Jam (Foxton & Hastings) (@FromtheJam1) August 20, 2024
Foxton has been open about his various health conditions in the past, telling Guitar World in 2023 of a recent cancer scare, saying: ‘My main hope for the future now is good health. I’ve had a scare with a lymph node being cancerous, but so far, so good, and I’m having immunotherapy treatment.” Despite this, Foxton continued to perform with From The Jam when his health allowed.
Foxton has also been open about his struggle with tinnitus, a condition causing ringing in the ears which is not uncommon among musicians due to their frequent exposure to load sounds. In 2019 he revealed that he had started wearing hearing aids due to the effects of chronic tinnitus.
On his condition, Foxton said: “I am not completely deaf but I do suffer from high-frequency hearing loss. I’ve had tinnitus for years now and I have actually succumbed to wearing a hearing aid occasionally.”
From The Jam will continue their tour without Foxton, with the hopes that his time off will help him make a full recovery.
