Guitarist/singer/songwriter Paul Weller is best known as the leader of the Jam, the Who-inspired British band that became a key player in the second wave of Britain's punk rock revolution.

Weller was born May 25, 1958, in Woking, England. His first band was a folk duo begun with friend Steve Brooks in 1972. The following year, they started the Jam with guitarist Dave Waller and drummer Rick Buckler. Bruce Foxton joined on bass in 1974, following the departure of Waller and Brooks.

Managed by Weller's father, John, the Jam first covered '60s R&B songs. When they added punk energy to the equation, their signature sound began to emerge, in addition to a smart fashion sense that owed a heavy debt to the mods of the previous generation.

The Jam's 1977 debut, In the City, was a hit in England, largely on the basis of its galvanizing title track, which borrowed liberally from the Sex Pistols' "Holiday in the Sun." This Is the Modern World was released the same year. However, after accusations by the press that the band was little more than a retro act, Weller considered breaking up the group.

The Jam returned in 1979 with All Mod Cons, which contained three UK hits: "News of the World" (RealAudio excerpt), "Down in the Tube Station at Midnight" and a version of the Kinks' classic, "David Watts." That year also saw the release of Setting Sons, a concept album that dealt with class struggles. It spawned the British hit "Eton Rifles," as well as the single "Heatwave." The band released its most popular record, Sound Affects, in 1980. Although the song "Start!" was a #1 hit in England, the band never managed to crossover successfully in the U.S. The band broke up following the release of The Gift in 1982.

The following year, Weller formed the Style Council, a political, R&B/soul outfit that frequently worked with guests, including Curtis Mayfield. The band, which also included singer Dee C. Lee and keyboardist Mick Talbot issued the Introducing the Style Council EP in 1983, which spawned the hit "My Ever Changing Moods." All told, the band had seven UK top-10 hits, but only one that charted in the States, "It Didn't Matter" (1987). The band folded in 1990.

In 1992 Weller reappeared with an eponymous solo debut, followed by Wild Wood in 1994 and Stanley Road a year later. Heavy Soul (1997) is his most recent album of new material.

Weller released Modern Classics: The Greatest Hits in 1998. That same year he was supported at several shows by longtime fan, Oasis' Noel Gallagher.

Gallagher also contributed, along with groups such as the Beastie Boys and Garbage, to Fire & Skill — The Songs of the Jam (1999).

Other birthdays Thursday: John "Poli" Palmer (Family), 57; Mitch Margo (Tokens), 53; Klaus Meine (Scorpions), 53; Jean Millington (Fanny), 50; Robert Steinhardt (Kansas), 49; and John Grimaldi (Argent), 45.