Sir Lenny Henry on The Jam, The Style Council and Paul Weller

Sir Lenny Henry is a British icon. For decades, he’s been a force in comedy, acting, writing, and activism. But what’s less discussed is his deep connection to music – and, in particular, his admiration for Paul Weller and The Jam, The Style Council, and Weller’s solo work. In another real ‘pinch me’ moment, I caught up with Lenny for my book, Paul Weller: Dancing Through the Fire – The Authorised Oral History to explore this musical thread running through his life and career… including a stand out performance joining The Style Council live on TV and performing a song on Our Favourite Shop!

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The Jam: A Soundtrack to Teenage Years

Lenny’s rise in comedy began in the mid-70s, at the same time The Jam were bursting onto the scene. He remembers their arrival vividly: “They were doing this sharp-suited, Mod kind of rock, but with a thrumming underbeat of R&B. You noticed them.” For Lenny, the energy of The Jam’s music, their “propulsive, powerful lyrics” and “great musicianship”, made them stand out. He recalls the distinctive audience – “a Mod bordering Skinhead” crowd, fists in the air-– and the sense that The Jam captured something essential about youth, class, and race in Britain.

Although he never saw The Jam live, Lenny charted their course on television, especially during their Top of the Pops era. Songs like “Going Underground” grabbed his attention: “It was brash, funky, propulsive – a great record that meant something.” As a self-confessed “soul head” into Northern Soul, Motown, and R&B, Lenny found himself drawn to the soulful undertones in Weller’s songwriting, which set The Jam apart from their contemporaries.

The Style Council: Soulful Evolution and Collaboration

The break-up of The Jam left Lenny, like many fans, disappointed. But he was intrigued by Weller’s next move: “The Style Council was almost like he was allowing himself to have fun… there’s a manifesto, it’s political, but also groovy and soulful.” Lenny saw Weller’s shift as akin to Sting’s post-Police reinvention – a chance to explore new musical territory and embrace a different kind of artistry.

Lenny’s connection to The Style Council became more than that of a fan. He was invited to perform live with them on Channel 4’s Saturday Night Live, singing ‘You’re the Best Thing’. For Lenny, it was a dream realised: “Singing live with a real band on telly – it’s what you always dreamed of when you were watching Top of the Pops as a kid.” He recalls being welcomed into the band’s world, not dismissed as a comedian dabbling in music, but embraced for his talent and enthusiasm.

That collaboration continued in the studio. Lenny contributed the spoken-word piece ‘The Stand Up Comic’s Instructions’ to The Style Council’s Our Favourite Shop album, a satirical take on the working men’s club comedy circuit and its prejudices. “It was an honour to be asked,” he says, reflecting on the trust Weller placed in him to deliver something meaningful and authentic.

Musical Adventures and Lasting Influence

Lenny’s musical journey didn’t stop there. In an exclusive reveal, he also recorded a demo of ‘The Boy Who Cried Wolf’ with the late Simon Brint, with Paul’s blessing. Although the project never saw the light of day, it’s a testament to Lenny’s genuine fandom and the mutual respect between artist and comedian.

He’s quick to praise Weller’s later work, from ‘Long Hot Summer’ (“one of the most beautiful, soulful records ever made”) to the enduring appeal of Stanley Road and beyond. Lenny sees Weller as an artist unafraid to follow his instincts, to evolve, and to surprise both himself and his audience: “Not many people get a second or third act. He’s on his fourth.”

Shared Values: Music, Politics, and Social Change

Lenny and Paul Weller share more than a love of soul and R&B. Both have used their platforms to challenge social injustice and champion change. Lenny recalls their involvement in Red Wedge, the collective of musicians and comedians supporting progressive politics in the 1980s: “Hearts were on our sleeve and wanted something to happen. Paul was the same. I loved it.”

He recognises in Weller’s lyrics and activism a kindred spirit – someone who believes in the power of music to provoke thought, inspire action, and offer revelation as well as revolution. “There’s nothing wrong with championing not just revolution, but revelation… youthful politics, youthful ardour. Why can’t we change it?”

The Soundtrack of a Life

When pressed to choose a single Paul Weller song for the rest of his life, Lenny finds it impossible. “Going Underground”, “You’re the Best Thing”, and “Long Hot Summer” all loom large. But it’s the feeling, the groove, and the sense of possibility in Weller’s music that resonates most.

Lenny Henry’s journey – from Dudley schoolboy doing impressions, to comedy legend, to singer with The Style Council – is as unfathomable as it is inspiring. His story is a reminder that the boundaries between comedy, music, and activism are there to be crossed. And that, sometimes, the biggest dreams really do come true.

The Style Council – You’re The Best Thing [Featuring Lenny Henry – Saturday Live 12/01/85]

Lenny Henry Show – Internationalists

The Style Council – The Stand Up Comic’s Instructions

Dancing Through the Fire

Sir Lenny Henry is one of over 250 contributors to my new book, Paul Weller: Dancing Through the Fire, which has just been published by Constable from Little, Brown.
Click on the image below to grab your copy now…