Following his tragic death, an interview of The Jam's Rick Butler has resurfaced from 2023 as he reflected on the band's split - and Paul Weller's reason for leaving.

Rick sadly passed away on February 17 at the age of 69 following a brief illness. He had been a member of The Jam, alongside Paul Weller and Bruce Foxton. The band were active from 1972-1982, however, in late 1982, after weeks of rumours, Paul had announced he was breaking up the band to explore new possibilities in his music career.

“Personal address to our fans,” wrote Weller. “At the end of this year, The Jam will be officially splitting up, as I feel we have achieved all we can together as a group. I mean this both musically and commercially. I want all we have achieved to count for something and most of all I’d hate us to end up old and embarrassing like so many other groups do," he said at the time - claiming there was "no real reason" for his departure.

Reflecting on Paul's decision over three decades later in an interview with The Strange Brew Rick opened up on Paul's decision' to leave. He revealed how the band "just got on with it" after Paul made the announcements, and the reasons were "never mentioned again."