Iconic British musician Paul Weller, known for fronting the Jam and the Style Council in the 1980s and later as a solo artist, celebrated his 67th birthday on Sunday, May 25 with a shirtless photo and a statement about the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Weller accompanied the photo of him posted on Instagram standing sans shirt, wearing a beaded necklace, with his gray hair parted in the middle and slicked back, and holding a cigarette with the caption, “Thanks to all... 67, not out yet! Stop the Israeli genocide. Free Palestine! ??? – PW.”
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Fans had a mixed reaction to the statement, with some critical of his remarks.
“Leave the politics Paul ffs,” wrote one fan.
“Call for Hamas to sign the peace deal if you want it to all end. Simples.Happy birthday,” wrote another.
“Love you music, stay out of politics, your a musician,” added another.
Others, however, offered their full support.
“Happy birthday Paul ? More power to you standing up and speaking out for the Palestinians. You're looking good on it for 67! #FreePalestine,” another weighed in.
“Happy birthday Paul and Free Palestine ???,” added another.
Others stayed clear of the politics and focused solely on Weller’s special day. “Can remember your 21st..that was a night..respect to ya for keeping it real, happy birthday fella x.”
“You're only six days younger than me, how come you look so good! ?? Many happy returns and thanks for the memories of some great gigs! ????❤️,” added another.
Weller’s onetime band mate in the Jam, Ric Buckler, died at the age of 69 in February.
Related: Rick Buckler, The Jam Drummer, Dead at 69
The Jam rose to prominence in the punk era alongside the Clash and the Sex Pistols, but the band’s mod fashion sense and musical approach was more closely aligned with early recordings of the Who than its punk peers.
Weller said in a post on X that he was “shocked and saddened” by his former band mate’s death.
The Jam was best known in the U.S. for the college radio hit “Town Called Malice,” which topped the charts in the U.K. but only made it to No. 45 in the U.S. However, the song was prominently featured in the 2000 film Billy Elliot in a raging tap-dancing scene.
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