On Vernon Kay’s BBC Radio 2 show this morning, Paul Weller performed for The Radio 2 Piano Room’s autumn run, from BBC Maida Vale and accompanied by the BBC Concert Orchestra.
Known as The Modfather and one of the most revered songwriters and performers of the past five decades, he performed his previous Style Council hit – Ever Had It Blue , a track from his new album – Rise Up Singing, and a classic cover – Denny Laine’s 1967 track - Say You Don’t Mind. He also performed a bonus track – Burn Out - which will be available on BBC Sounds and BBC iPlayer.
From starting out as frontman of bands The Jam and The Style Council, Paul kickstarted a successful solo career in the early 90s and is now hailed as one of the most influential and inventive figures in modern British music. He’s released 28 albums to date, and his 17th solo album, 66, was released this Spring.
Vernon put to him a question from the previous Piano Room performer, Rag ‘N’ Bone Man, who asked: “Paul Weller, how does it feel to have everyone copy your haircut?”
Paul replied: “I don’t know if I’m the sort of cause of some savage sort of haircuts out there. I mean I can’t claim to, it’s not because of my fault. You know, my hair’s been misinterpreted!” [laughs]
Vernon said: “Oh I like that, we’ll take that, we’ll leave that one right there... But you are at the forefront of fashion, you know, whenever I see you, you always look on point Paul.”
Paul replied: “Well that’s ‘cause I’m a mod.”
Vernon said: “We’ll leave that there as well, perfect!”
Following Paul’s performance, Vernon announced that BRIT Award-winning pop sensation, Mabel, will be bringing the curtain down on The Radio 2 Piano Room 2024 on Thursday 5th December. She will perform a previous hit, a new song and a classic cover alongside the BBC Concert Orchestra at BBC Maida Vale.
Mabel first burst onto the music scene in 2015 with her debut single, Know Me Better. Her early material led to the surprise breakthrough of Finders Keepers in 2017 which went platinum, spending five weeks in the top ten, and saw her nominated for the Critics' Choice Award at the BRITs. She's gone on to tour with stars such as Harry Styles, and has sold out her own concert dates around the world, including at Wembley Stadium.
Mabel's famously the daughter of producer Cameron McVey, best known for his seminal work with Massive Attack, Portishead, Sugababes and All Saints, whilst her mother is Neneh Cherry, the music and style superstar who enjoyed chart success in the late 80s and early 90s with hits including Buffalo Stance and Manchild. In 2019, Mabel achieved her biggest hit single to date with Don’t Call Me Up, and in 2020 she was crowned Best British Female Solo Artist at the Brit Awards.
