'About The Young Idea' - a new exhibition highlighting The Jam's career opens at Somerset House

26 June 2015, 09:19 | Written by Rich Thane

(News)

(Paul Weller)

A new exhibition opens today at London's Somerset House highlighting mod legends The Jam and their meteoric rise from working class upstarts to their inevitable world dominance throughout the late 70s and early 80s.

All three members of the band - Paul Weller, Rick Buckler and Bruce Foxton - along with the Weller family and music archivist Den Davis have opened up their archives, especially for the show. Curated by Weller's sister and founder of The Jam’s fan club Nicky Weller, Tory Turk and Russell Reader with additional advice from DJ Gary Crowley, the exhibition includes hand written lyrics, original stage outfits, personal photographs and footage, unreleased music videos, early scrapbooks, letters and postcards, posters and fanzines, and the band’s instruments.

Opening today and running until 31 August, About The Young Idea is also peppered with photographs taken by the group's principal photographer Martyn Goddard (pictured above alongside Weller) who immortalised the trio in 1977 with his black and white cover art for the seminal In The City album.

A private viewing took place last night which saw a wealth of die-hard fans and long time band associates attending. The event saw Paul Weller and Bruce Foxton rubbing shoulders with The Office and The Hobbit star Martin Freeman, whilst drummer Rick Buckler was notably abscent.

Tickets for About The Young Idea are priced at £9.50 (concessions £7) and are available to book here.

A free exhibtion, focusing specifically on Martyn Goddard's photography throughout The Jam's career, is also taking place at London's Snap Gallery from July 1. Entry is free of charge with further information available here.