Kew the Music: Paul Weller at Kew Gardens

Paul Weller, aka The Modfather, was born in Surrey in 1958. Together with a group of close friends, he formed the massively influential punk rock band The Jam in 1976. The band's blend of political lyrics and pop melodies was a hit with the record buying public, and The Jam enjoyed huge chart success until their break-up in 1982. After a brief jazz-pop stint with The Style Council, Weller branched out as a solo artist in 1991. Buoyed by commercial success and critical acclaim, Weller has released 10 solo studio albums to date. His influence as an artist was often cited during the Britpop movement of the Nineties, and his status as a current and relevant performer was cemented after winning a BRIT Award in 2009 for Best Male Solo Artist.