Paolo Hewitt: Paul Weller - The Changingman

The story of The Jam is probably best told by Paolo Hewitt's 1983 book A Beat Concerto.
The book that appeared 9 months after 23 year old Paul Weller decided to break-up the biggest band in Britain, after 5 years, 18 Top 40 singles, and 5 albums.
And the book is a real "access all areas" affair - Paolo's relationship with Paul Weller ensured he was there for the major events, and had Paul's ear if any gaps needed filling whilst penning the tome.

However, if I'm being critical (which I am at the moment) the story of The Jam told here is really the story of Paul Weller whilst he was in The Jam.
Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler are mentioned, but were not interviewed during the writing, and I'm not sure actually had sight of the draft, or final sign-off of the book.

This fact is mentioned in Alex Ogg's Foxton & Buckler: Our Story book, which also has little time for Paolo Hewitt - who effectively excluded them from A Beat Concerto, the 'Snap!' compilation, and the 'Extras' compilation - and finishes with the line: "There were 3 people in The Jam, and 2 of them weren't Paul Weller (or Paolo Hewitt)"

Bruce Foxton has not published an autobiography, but is busy delivering his life story from a stage near you in From The Jam (even if it is something of an oddity to have an original member appearing in his own tribute band.  Then again, it just adds weight to the performance).
Rick Buckler has published his autobiography a couple of years ago - That's Entertainment.  It's not a bad book by any means, giving some pre-Jam background for Rick, but doesn't really add anything to the known story, relying on well told anecdotes and stories, plus one can detect a little bitterness sneaking through.

There is no official Paul Weller biography or autobiography - the nearest I think you can get is the Into Tomorrow DVD (which is not easily available), The Style Council: Long Hut Summers, and About The Young Idea (the film from the 2015 archive exhibition, which now supplants A Beat Concerto as the definitive telling of the story).
Paul Weller is not one for opening up and sharing his life (and why should he?) so Paolo Hewitt's biog is as close as we can get.

The book opens with the line: "Paul Weller and I were friends for over 30 years.  We're not anymore."
Now I have no doubt about his past relationship with Paul Weller, the access granted, the moments shared, and the mutual respect and tolerance of mood that exists between friends.
But opening a biography with that phrase does seem a bit odd.
As I understand it (specific details are scant), it was the decision to write and publish this book - including some perhaps guarded details and/or embellishments - that drove the wedge between the two.
That opening line also gives the concern that the book is a "kiss and tell" or a running down of the subject in a fit of revenge (or something).

I'm pleased to report it's neither of those things, but I do feel Paolo Hewitt has overplayed his part in the story.  And rather than a factual(ish) biography, it comes over like Hewitt's memoir titled "My Life With Paul Weller"

Two particular passages inspire this belief:

1.  When he is called to Paul Weller's room on the last Jam tour.  Weller is having doubts about The Jam's future and Paolo puts it into perspective:
"I told him I didn't think The Jam would last.  My reasoning was clear: 'The Gift' had proved that he would need an urgent overhaul if he was to follow his dream of making The Jam a soulful agit-prop band.  Something had to give."
2. When The Style Council have disbanded, and in the middle of his first solo outings, Weller expresses concern about his own abilities as a songwriter.  Again, Paolo gives him a pep talk and together they map out his immediate solo future.
"Paul was going through a crisis.  One afternoon he sat in my hotel room and said "I don't think I'm an artist".  I said: "how can you not be an artist.  Look at the musical journey you've been on, the songs you've written, how much you've changed.  You can't do that if you're not an artist"

It was at this point I was half-expecting him to say: "... and then I picked up Paul's acoustic guitar and played him the descending arpeggio chord pattern of "Sunflower" and "The Changingman" riff"

These conversations may have happened (well, not the last one), but I doubt in the detail given, and I also doubt a man of singular vision and belief such as Paul Weller would've needed his career to date summarized and forward planned by anybody but himself (and maybe his old man and manager, John Weller)

That said, it ain't a bad canter through Paul Weller's life story - all early touchstones visited, the rise Of The Jam, the (unwanted) title of Spokesman For A Generation, the decision to start The Style Council, the politically charged Red Wedge days, the opportunity to explore/experiment as much as he could (Polydor were tolerant for a while, but as sales dwindled, the freedoms reined in and the relationship eventually severed), and then onto his ever-changing solo career (up to 'As Is Now' when their ways parted).

Each chapter is framed against a particular song.  This gives a flow and point of reference showing the man in question at a given point - his feelings at the time, concerns, influences, relationships, and at times offering pointers to what came next.
Sometimes the song choice is relevant.  Other times it just seems to be a device to introduce another "Me and Paul ..." anecdote.
As said above, I have no reason to doubt the events shared and it's not a hatchet job (as it could've been after the severing of relations).  But I do think it paints Paul Weller as possibly more difficult and grumpy than he actually is.  Certainly in many interviews that can be apparent, and the book also mentions his great humorous streak ("Are you happy still being called the spokesman for a generation?"  "Don't do it so much now - Weekends only"), but there must've been at least the equal good mood vs bad mood moments in their time together?  It seems not, Paul Weller was mostly in a bad mood.

In summary, as a biography goes I just wish there was more factual detail, but this book serves as an insight to the character and artistry of Paul Weller (albeit from a potentially myopic source).
I don't doubt it's assembly and publication was easy for Paolo Hewitt, particularly as it happened whilst one of his oldest friendships was coming to and end.  And despite all my (apparent) criticisms, I thank him for sharing his story and relationship.
It's doubtful Paul Weller will have a desire to publish an autobiography - he has never felt the need to explain his actions or court publicity and examination of his private life.  And until / if there is ever an Authorised biography, this book is as close to understanding Paul Weller as we're likely to get.
But it does do that "thing" that all good biographies do - make you go back and listen to the music again.  I'm still not totally convinced, but I have been enjoyed digging into The Style Council stuff which remained an unfloated boat for a long long time.
(Bonus Recommendation: the documentary Long Hot Summers: The Story Of The Style Council is worth a look too - it was another 90 minutes that re-piqued my interest in things Style Council-y)

The Jam - That's Entertainment

Style Council - Walls Come Tumbling Down

Paul Weller - Uh Huh Oh Yeh