Paul Weller by Steve Rapport

Photographer: Steve Rapport - courtesy of Rockarchive UK
Location: Michael Sobell Sports Centre. London
Edition: 100
Date: 12 December 1981

“With mods and skinheads fighting running battles outside in the snow-covered streets of Finsbury Park, Paul Weller led The Jam through their sound-check at the little-used Sobell Centre. In his infinite wisdom Paul’s dad, John Weller (The Jam’s manager), decreed that photographers would not be allowed to shoot the actual show, so I had to try to get something atmospheric for The Guardian while the band stood around the stage in mid-afternoon. Suddenly, the house lights went down, a spotlight fell on Paul Weller, and The Jam launched into a mesmerising version of That’s Entertainment. With the light falling on his mod-ish hair, Paul looked like the reincarnation of the late, great Rolling Stone, Brian Jones."

Print Quality: Archival Digital Fine-Art print on Hahnemühle paper.