The former Jam frontman has teased the release of his new record, consisting solely of covers, with two new songs, ‘Lawdy Rolla’, originally recorded as a moody R&B number by The Guerrillas, and ‘Pinball’, a soft rock ballad originally recorded by The Albion bands’ Robert Protheroe.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Paul Weller (@paulwellerhq)

It’s not hard to track Weller’s inspiration for ‘Lawdy Rolla’, as the original record has been a regular spin for DJs on the mod scene for a long while; a scene that Weller has been involved in since the formation of The Jam in the early ‘70s.

The first two songs off the album are available on all streaming platforms now.

Featuring renditions of songs by The Kinks, The Bee Gees and the late P.P. Arnold, ‘Find El Dorado’ also features collaborations with the likes of Robert Plant, Hannah Peel and Noel Gallagher. Weller, alongside his collaborators, came together to create a body of work consisting of “songs I’ve carried with me for years,” and also commented that “They’ve taken on new shapes over time. And now felt like the moment to share them.” (NME)

Full Tracklist:

1. ‘Handouts In The Rain’ (Richie Havens)
2. ‘Small Town Talk’ (Bobby Charles)
3. ‘El Dorado’ (Eamon Friel)
4. ‘White Line Fever’ (The Flying Burrito Brothers)
5. ‘One Last Cold Kiss’ (Christy Moore)
6. ‘When You Are A King’ (White Plains)
7. ‘Pinball’ (Brian Protheroe)
8. ‘Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire’ (Willie Griffin)
9. ‘I Started A Joke’ (Bee Gees)
10. ‘Never the Same (Lal and Mike Waterson)
11. ‘Lawdy Rolla’ (The Guerrillas)
12. ‘Nobody’s Fool’ (The Kinks)
13. ‘Journey’ (Duncan Browne)
14. ‘Daltry Street’ (Jake Fletcher/PP Arnold)
15. ‘Clive’s Song’ (Hamish Imlach)

‘Find El Dorado’ marks the 66 year-old’s return to Parlophone Records, where he released albums between 2015 and 2018. Parlophone have marked the occasion with the release of a 7” single of ‘Lawdy Rolla’ and ‘Pinball’, available for pre-order now. 

Weller has also appeared in the public eye recently, as one of the many artists to sign the open letter from Heavenly Recordings, defending Irish band Kneecap’s “freedom of expression”, which has been heavily scrutinised recently in the British media, following comments made by the band showing support for Palestinian groups.

‘Find El Dorado’ is to be released on the 25th July and the Double Gatefold LP is now available for pre-order.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Paul Weller (@paulwellerhq)

The drummer was part of the band from their formation in the 70s up to their breakup in 1982. Although the band never fully reunited, Buckler played alongside Foxton, the bass player, on numerous occasions. The Jam released six studio albums on which Rick played, including the critically-acclaimed ‘All Mod Cons’ (1978) and ‘Sound Affects’ (1980).

Paul’s Instagram post also included a statement from Bruce Foxton. The 69-year-old musician has paid a glowing tribute to Rick, describing him as a “good guy and a great drummer”. By the time the band split, they were one of the biggest in the UK singles chart, reflecting their popularity at the time, especially with their song ‘Town Called Malice’.

Post The Jam, Rick Buckler formed a number of bands including Time UK, Sharp which also featured Foxton as a member and The Gift, named after The Jam’s last album and playing music from the band’s catalogue. From 2007 to 2009, he also toured with a band called From The Jam, a band playing covers from the group and later joined again by Foxton who to this day still tours with them.

The drummer lived with his wife and two children, Jason and Holly. He wrote a number of books on the history of The Jam, along with his own autobiography That’s Entertainment: My Life In The Jam, which was released in 2015.

The Surrey born drummer died after a short illness.

Suggs and Paul Weller have done a great song together called “Ooh Do U Fink U R?”
Get it on 7inch or Stream it from all the usual places: https://t.co/091xpX8vD0 @suggsgmcpherson @paulwellerHQ pic.twitter.com/B1XiZlWKCV

— Madness (@MadnessNews) May 4, 2022

The musical partnership consists of two of music’s most influential artists; Madness frontman Suggs and Mod icon Paul Weller. Both singers have achieved great success within their respective bands but have also seen triumphs within their solo careers. After four decades of friendship, the musical titans began their musical partnership during the lockdown of 2020. During and following the lockdown the pair shared demos, rough drafts of songs and lyric ideas, these early creative stages eventually formed Suggs Paul Weller and led to the production of “Ooh Do U Fink U R”. The genre defining artists produced and recorded the track at Black Barn Studio, Weller’s own studio located in Surrey.

The collaborative track takes influence from the pair’s experience in the 1970s schooling system and have confirmed that the single’s title is taken from a phrase in which they heard within the classroom. The track’s musical influences have been taken from the 1960s and has been described as a “gloriously sunny, optimistic and defiant Motown influenced stomper”. The single was also released with an accompanying music video which features animation by Madness’ longstanding partner DNO, the video pays homage to their hometowns and places the singers in quintessentially British locations.

Suggs has spoken on the influence behind the track and discusses his experiences with teachers, “I think teachers are the best people in the world, I love them with all my heart. But you know all those great teachers you read about who dragged their pupils up, and encouraged them and made them into the best possible version of themselves they could be? Well, unfortunately I didn’t have one of those!”

The 61-year-old singer and radio personality continued to discuss the track’s inspiration and origins, “”Ooh Do U Fink U R” was a phrase I heard more often than I wished and sums up my school years- constantly being told to know my place and keep in my box, being given no encouragement but still never giving in, and never giving up. Chatting to Paul reminded me of those experiences. We both found enthusiasm and a purpose in music, and that pulled us through!”

Weller also described the pair’s relationship and spoke on his thoughts concerning the track, “Me and Suggs have been talking about doing something together for the last few years so to see it finally happen is amazing! I love the tune and working with him. He’s truly a man of many talents. We wanted to do something special and I really think this track is!”

Along with a traditional digital release onto streaming platforms, and the single will also be made available on a limited edition 7” vinyl on Father’s Day, 17th June 2022. The vinyl can be pre-ordered here.

Weller has stated that during the filming he felt awkward, due to the drug use in which he stated was occurring during the event. The singer has made claims that artists among the video’s star-studded roster were taking drugs whilst recording and performing, he claimed that the artists in question were doing the narcotics in the bathrooms.

The music video was filmed in support of the charity single, ‘Do They Know Its Christmas?’ by the supergroup Band-Aid. The group and release were organised by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure in aid of the famine in Ethiopia. The single was released on 25th November 1984 and would go on to win the coveted Christmas number one spot.

The music video was released on 3rd December 1984 and was recorded at the music studio Sarm West Studios located in Notting Hill, London. Those taking part in the release were given specific sections and verses to sing with the chorus sung by the whole group. The group consisted of a line-up of the era’s most popular performers, including Bono, Phill Collins, Boy George, George Michael, Sting and Paul Weller.

The former Jam bassist and vocalist made the accusations during a fan Q&A, Weller revealed: “That was horrible. Everyone was getting off doing blow in the toilets. It probably would have been all right for me in the ’90s but I wasn’t into all that then. I was totally out of my comfort zone.”

Weller related the experience with his own sobriety and has credited his deeper relationship with his music to his decision to stay sober. The singer has stayed sober for 11 years after suffering an addiction to alcohol. “I didn’t give up because of vanity – because the drink was bigger than vanity. Now, when I look back to before I stopped, I just think: ‘Christ, the state of me’. I looked a lot older, a bit puffy, red and just wrong. Since I’ve been sober I get more from music.”

Weller also made headlines recently when the 63-year-old artist scored his sixth number one. The singer’s release, ‘Fat Pop (Volume 1)‘, was released on 14th May 2021 and debuted at number one. The album has sired over 26,000 chart sales and marks five decades of chart success for Weller.

Taking to Instagram, an official statement from Paul Weller stated, “Due to ongoing uncertainty through the pandemic, the decision has been made to reschedule Paul’s UK June/July Summer 2021 tour to March/April 2022. If you currently hold a ticket, keep this, as it will remain valid for the new date.” However, the tour dates for November and December 2021 remain the same with 15 shows occurring during the winter months. The venues include Margate’s Winter Gardens, The Cambridge Corn Exchange and Baths Forum.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Paul Weller (@paulwellerhq)

The news comes shortly after Weller has released a new single. ‘Cosmic Fringes’ is the electro-pop that is the first single from his next album ‘Fat Pop (Vol.1).’  ‘Cosmic Fringes’ shows the renowned singer deliver ‘deadpan vocals’ with an ‘oxymoronic, pumping swing’. The album, set to be released on May 14th 2021, is about music and the joy it brings. ‘The Modfather’ stated, “It’s a celebration of music and what it’s given us all. No matter what situation you are in, and we’re in one now, music doesn’t let you down, does it?”

Tickets purchased for Paul Weller’s autumn 2020 shows remain valid for the rescheduled gigs. Fans who cannot make the new 2022 spring dates can request a refund from their point of purchase.

Paul Weller Spring 2022 rescheduled Tour Dates:

31/03 2022 – Plymouth Pavilions – Plymouth
01/04 – Guildhall – Portsmouth
02/04 – Brighton Centre – Brighton
04/04 – King Georges Hall – Blackburn
05/04 – York Barbican – York
06/04 – Bonus Arena – Hull
09/04 – De Montfort Hall- Leicester
10/04 -De Montfort Hall- Leicester
12/04 – Caird Hall – Dundee
13/04 – Usher Hall – Edinburgh
15/04 – O2 Apollo – Manchester
16/04 – O2 City Hall – Newcastle Upon Tyne
17/04 – O2 City Hall – Newcastle Upon Tyne
19/04 – Sands Centre – Carlisle
20/04 – St Georges Hall – Bradford
22/04 – O2 Forum Kentish Town – London
23/04 – O2 Forum Kentish Town – London
24/04 – O2 Academy Brixton – London