Episode 97: Shane Juson – Tales from a front row superfan from The Jam to now…

As much as I love talking on the podcast to incredible musicians, singers and songwriters, producers, music industry promoters, tour managers, photographers, designers, road crew, journalists, band members and others, who have worked and collaborated with Paul Weller over the past 45 years, this podcast was always intended to be a voice for the fans to share their memories of The Jam, The Style Council and Paul Weller…

So many of these fans are great story-tellers with great stories to tell, able to paint a picture on what the man and his music has meant to them over the years.

This is another one of those very special episodes – with a man who is a regular in the front row at Weller gigs, on the forums and at events.

My latest podcast guest is Shane Juson and we’ll hear all about his discovery of The Jam in 1979 and special memories of those singles, albums, live gigs, soundchecks, band meetings and more…

We’ll hear about his love of The Style Council and Paul Weller solo – from the early Movement gigs in 1990 and front-row adventures on every tour since (he’s even got the t-shirts to prove it!).

We’ll also hear about some pretty wonderful and bizarre moments too.
For example, watching Paul Weller’s reactions at Black Barn, whilst listening together to On Sunset on the day after the final recordings to having his photo taken by Paul next to the famous Stanley Road jukebox and being driven up the road in Ripley for a tea and scone at The Nest with Charles Rees, Tom Van Heel & another superfan, Keiko Egawa…

You can find photos that tie in to our conversation below, and join here for Shane’s Facebook Group – Absolute Beginners The Jam.

Another very special episode. Have a listen – share on your social media channels – and leave a 5-star review wherever you get your podcasts…

Click your preferred podcast platform to listen or hit the player below…

Tour T-Shirt Evidence!

Just a few tickets from the olden days…

Shane on The Paul Weller Movement…

“I was lucky enough to see The Jam but these days were absolutely incredible! PW was finding his feet again after TSC but I never saw a gig where he didn’t put 100% in. Hearing stuff like this, Into Tomorrow, Strange Museum with a few old classics too were just fantastic. Stories of a couple of hundred in a gig abounded but I honestly can’t remember looking back from the barrier and thinking there wasn’t many people in because it was always cramped, sweaty and absolutely bouncing where I was. Probably why I can’t hear a bloody thing these days. Travelling all over the UK in my van or a little Metro to see so many gigs. Would I change anything? I’d have gone to see the early gigs even more!…..and taken more photos Great days! “

My first solo gig, Coventry November 1990 – Looks like Precious.

PW turning up at the Subterania June 92

One more of my pics from the Subterania 92
He’s playing Wild Wood here even before the Japanese debut album was released!

Probably my favourite live photo I’ve taken.
Rotterdam. Great memories and probably more English people in the venue than Dutch

Poole 1992 – ( Shane’s photos from the front row at Dan’s first Paul Weller gig!)