Bruce Foxton, the legendary bassist of The Jam , has announced that he is stepping back from performing with his current band, From the Jam, due to ongoing health issues. The 68-year-old musician, who has been a cornerstone of British punk rock since the late 1970s, shared the sad news with his dedicated fanbase. He explained that he had to go into hospital for an ‘immediate procedure,’ and will no longer be able to perform with his band as a result.
The Jam, which formed in 1972 and rose to prominence with hits like A Town Called Malice and Going Underground, disbanded in 1982 at the height of their success. The group, which also included frontman Paul Weller and drummer Rick Buckler, is one of the most beloved bands of it’s era with all 18 of their singles and seven albums reaching the Top 40 in the UK. After The Jam’s split, Foxton joined Stiff Little Fingers before eventually forming From the Jam in 2006.
The tribute band has been Foxton’s primary focus for the past decade. In an emotional statement on the band’s official Facebook page , Foxton revealed: ‘To all my lifelong wonderful fans, as a lot of you know, my health has not been good for the past few years, and the latest news is that I have had to go into hospital for an immediate procedure. ‘It is with much regret and sadness that I will not be able to perform again with From the Jam until I have made a full recovery.
’ Despite his health challenges, Foxton remains optimistic about returning to the stage eventually. Foxton concluded his message with: ‘The band has done everything to help me for the past couple of years and have even suggested several times that I take time off to look after my health and recuperate. That time has now come, so I wish the band (my dear friends) continued success until I return, and with God’s will, I will see you all in the not-too-distant future.
’ Fans were quick to share their well wishes with Foxton. Craig Marshall commented on the post: ‘Take your time Bruce. Your health is the most important thing to look after.
We can look after ourselves. You’ve given us all so much already young fella. After buying my first Jam album in 1977, I was so grateful to finally see you live in Brisbane earlier this year.
Rest up. Get well. And most of all thank you.
’ Tina Horsfield wrote: ‘Bruce, you, the jam and from the jam have been a big part of my life ever since the early eighties and I’m truly grateful for your music. Mods for life mods forever 😁 I hope you have a speedy recovery.’ Darren Mark Snow emotionally commented: ‘You are our hero and have been a influence on a generation.
Style, class, amazing hair cut, and your beautiful bass lines as part of The Jam – that band and the three of you did something no other band did, not even The Beatles, you tuned in a gang of lads, showed us what to wear and got us thinking too.’ While it remains unclear exactly what health issues the procedure will address, Foxton has been open about his battle with tinnitus over the years. Tinnitus, which causes a persistent ringing in the ears, is a common affliction among musicians who are exposed to loud volumes for long periods of time.
He also told Guitar World in 2023 that he had experienced a recent cancer scare, saying: ‘My main hope for the future now is good health. I’ve had a scare with a lymph node being cancerous, but so far, so good, and I’m having immunotherapy treatment. So my ambition is just to stay healthy, more than the music.
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