The Jam’s Bruce Foxton pulls out of touring following “immediate” hospital procedure

20 August, 2024

Bruce Foxton of From The Jam performs. CREDIT: Lorne Thomson/Redferns

After visiting hospital for an “immediate procedure” The Jam’s Bruce Foxton has announced that he is taking time out of touring.

The 68-year-old bassist was a part of The Jam up until their sudden split in 1982, when frontman Paul Weller departed from the line-up. Since then, Foxton has been a part of the band Stiff Little Fingers, and also went on to join the tribute band for his original project, titled From The Jam, which has been playing tracks from the iconic British band for more than a decade.

Now, he has shared an update with fans, explaining that a recent visit to the hospital has meant he had made the decision to temporarily pull out of live performances.

“To all my lifelong wonderful fans, as a lot of you know my health has not been good for the past few years and the latest news is that I have had to go into hospital for an immediate procedure,” he began.

“It is with much regret and sadness that I will not be able to perform again with From the Jam until I have made a full recovery. The band has done everything to help me for the past couple of years and have even suggested several times that I take time off to look after my health and recuperate.”

He continued: “That time has now come so I wish the band (my dear friends) continued success until I return and with God’s will I will see you all in the not too distant future on the ‘Setting Sons’ 45th-anniversary tour.”

While further details have not been shared at time of writing, the band have clarified that he was not “rushed to hospital” – following some news reports – and told fans that the news isn’t “sad” as the musician is putting his wellbeing first.

“Despite what @DailyMirror have posted, please see the full and official statement from #BruceFoxton. Bruce was NOT rushed to hospital and rather than ‘sad’ this is positive news as Bruce is taking time to convalesce,” read a later update from the band.

Foxton has been open about his health struggles in the past.

Back in 2019, he opened up for the first time about his battle with tinnitus, and how his years in the music industry had left him being forced to use a hearing aid when playing live. The condition causes continuous ringing in the ears and can lead to permanent hearing loss.

“I’ve had tinnitus for years now and I have actually succumbed to wearing a hearing aid occasionally. Back in the days of The Jam, we were a three-piece and we needed to play at full volume to sound as loud as we could,” he explained to The Mirror at the time.

“But do that for 40 years and your hearing is bound to deteriorate. I am not completely deaf but I do suffer from high-frequency hearing loss. This is a result of performing at so many live concerts and years of standing next to loudspeakers on the stage. It means that I struggle to hear the treble and higher-pitched sounds.”

He also shared in the past that the condition – which also affects artists like Chris Martin, Noel Gallagher and many more – led to him struggling with social anxiety and withdrawing himself from events.

Russel Hastings and Bruce Foxton of From The Jam perform
Russel Hastings and Bruce Foxton of From The Jam perform. CREDIT: Lorne Thomson/Redferns/Getty

“It’s embarrassing because I’ll be trying to have a conversation and if it’s that loud there are only so many times I can say, ‘Sorry, I didn’t catch that. What did you say?,” he recalled (via Daily Record). “After about the fourth time of asking, I get too embarrassed to ask again so I become a bit of an introvert.”

As well as the struggle with tinnitus, Foxton has also revealed previously that he underwent a cataract operation in both eyes after struggling to see his audiences.

From The Jam was originally titled The Gift, and was formed in 2006 by The Jam’s former drummer Rick Buckler, alongside Russell Hastings and David Moore. The title came from The Jam’s 1982 sixth and final studio album, but renamed themselves as From The Jam later that year when Foxton joined the line-up.

They toured together from 2007 onwards and Foxton and Hastings released numerous albums together. The latest of which was ‘The Butterfly Effect’ which arrived in 2016.

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