Bruce Foxton

by Steven "Spaz" SchneeAs bass player for The Jam, Bruce Foxton had the enviable role of backing one of England's most respected singer/songwriters, Paul Weller. Foxton's deft playing and harmonies certainly added to the Jam's winning sound, although his own songwriting (usually a track per album) fell way below the standard set by Weller. Only "Smithers-Jones" (rock version: b-side to "When You're Young"/string version: "Setting Sons") stands out as an equal to Weller's output. When Weller put an end to the Jam in the early '80s, no one expected Foxton to rebound with a solo career but he certainly gave it a shot. Foxton signed a deal with Arista Records and began putting together a band. Enlisting the help of former Hitmen guitarist Pete Glennister, former Hitmen keyboardist Stan Shaw and drummer Adrian Lillywhite (brother of producer Steve), Foxton went back to work. In '84, his rock/funk "Freak" single was released and did some very respectable business in the UK charts. Unfortunately, none of his other singles made a mark on the charts, nor did his Touch Sensitive album, and Foxton was dropped from the label. Shortly after his contract was terminated, Foxton hooked up with former Jam drummer Rick Buckler and vocalist Jimmy Edwards (both of whom had been members of Time UK while Foxton was struggling with his solo career) and formed the short-lived Sharp, who released a sole 7" single. After a few more years of disappointments, Foxton hooked up old friend Jake Burns and joined his legendary outfit Stiff Little Fingers in the late '80s, where he has remained an integral part of the band ever since.