Roger Armstrong – Rock On, Soho Market + Chiswick Records

In this episode, I’m joined by Roger Armstrong – co-founder of the legendary Rock On record shop and the Chiswick label – to talk about his unique vantage point on Paul Weller’s earliest days.

Long before record deals, Roger knew Paul as a meticulous record buyer, hunting for Motown and soul 45s at his Soho Market stall.

We explore the lost world of seven-inch singles, the importance of B-sides, and how that deep, physical relationship with records helped shape Paul Weller’s musical values from the very beginning.

Roger also shares first-hand memories of the Jam’s formative period, including the legendary Soho Market performance powered off a lightbulb, near-misses around signing the band, and how Polydor ultimately swooped in.

Along the way, he reflects on the explosion of punk, pub rock’s role as a bridge, encounters with Joe Strummer, and why seeing bands before fame mattered most.

A lovely chat about records, scenes, and shared memory – and a reminder that the core of Paul Weller’s musical DNA was set long before the charts ever noticed.

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Dancing Through the Fire

Roger Armstrong is one of over 250 contributors to my Sunday Times Bestselling book, Paul Weller: Dancing Through the Fire, which is available now.
Click on the image below to grab your copy…