BRITISH rock legend Bruce Foxton was rushed to hospital for surgery.
The 68-year-old bassist, who was a member of The Jam alongside Paul Weller and Rick Buckler in the 70s and 80s, now performs the group’s hits under the guise of From The Jam.
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Bruce Foxton from Jam had an ’emergency procedure’ at the hospitalCredit: Rex
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He performed at The Jam alongside Paul Weller and Rick Buckler Credit: Getty
Taking to social media, Bruce told fans he was leaving his group’s tour to focus on his recovery.
He wrote: “To all my lifelong wonderful fans, as many of you know my health has not been good for the past few years and the latest news is that I had to go into hospital for emergency surgery.
“It is with great regret and sadness that I will not be able to perform with From the Jam again until I have fully recovered.
“The band has done everything to help me over the past few years and even suggested a few times that I take days off to take care of my health and recover.
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“That time has now come so I wish the band (my dear friends) continued success until I return and God willing I will see you all in the not too distant future on the ‘Setting Sons’ 45th Anniversary Tour.”
The cult bassist has been performing with tinnitus for years, and now he wears a hearing aid.
Despite this, he struggled playing classics such as Town Called Malice and The Eton Rifles for The Jam’s loyal fan base.
In between hiatus due to the coronavirus, From The Jam hit the road with two tonal ska legends The Selecter for the 40th anniversary of The Sound Effects album.
Frontman Russell Hastings did an incredible job stepping into Weller’s shoes and drawing rave reviews from fans across the country.
The Jam has amassed 18 top 40 singles and seven chart-topping albums in just five years.
After the split, Bruce had a short-lived solo career before joining the punk band Stiff Little Fingers in 1990.
He played with the band until 2006 when he decided to found From The Jam.
Bruce has the full blessing of former frontman Weller to perform the classic songs.
The former Style Council frontman, who left The Jam in 1982 to pursue a different musical direction, has stated that he has no desire to make a living solely from playing his former band’s hits live.
Speaking on his podcast, Desperately Seeking Paul earlier this year, he shared his disdain for being seen as a “heritage act”.
He said: “I’m not fucking going that way, mate – I’m not an heir.
“I had to struggle with that expression, my own little struggle in terms of getting through all these things.
“I’ve probably lost a certain amount of audience along the way in the last ten years, one that just wanted to hear Jam stuff.
“But now they’ve kind of gone, I guess they’re going to see Bruce Foxton’s band or other people – whatever they want to do, whatever makes them happy.
“But it was worth it because I proved myself right.
“If you just go through those bulls*** and follow your program and what you think it should be, you’ll get there eventually.
“But it’s easy to get around people saying, ‘Maybe you should do this, or you could do that, or make it like an old record.’
“No, just follow your vision, if you still have a vision.”
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Fashion legend Bruce struggled with ill health for a number of years Credit: Rex
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The Jam disbanded in 1982 after frontman Weller decided to leave Credit: Corbis
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