The Jam’s Bruce Foxton, 68, is forced to quit the band due to health reasons as he shares heartbreaking statement to his ‘lifelong wonderful fans’

By William On Aug 20, 2024

The Jam’s Bruce Foxton has announced that he is leaving the band due to ongoing health reasons.

The 68-year-old singer shared a heartbreaking statement to his “always amazing fans” on the band’s official Facebook account on Tuesday.

Bruce announced that he will have to undergo an “immediate procedure” in hospital and will have to take a break from The Jam in order to “fully recover”.

He wrote: ‘To all my wonderful fans, As many of you know, my health has not been good over the past few years and the latest news is that I had to be rushed to the hospital for surgery.

‘I am deeply sorry and saddened that I will no longer be able to perform with From the Jam until I have fully recovered.

The Jam’s Bruce Foxton, 68, has announced he is leaving the band due to ongoing health reasons (pictured in 2014)

The singer shared a heartbreaking statement to his “lifelong amazing fans” on the band’s official Facebook account (Paul Weller, Rick Buckler and Bruce pictured L-R in 2002)

‘The band has done everything they can to help me over the past few years and has even suggested several times that I take a break to look after my health and recover.

‘That time has now come so I wish the band (my dear friends) the best of luck 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. Much love and respect, Bruce X’

His beloved fans came out in droves to the comments to support Bruce and congratulate him on his music over the years.

Some wrote: ‘Take your time Bruce. Your health is the most important thing to take care of. We can take care of ourselves. You have given us all so much young man.

‘After buying my first Jam album in 1977, I was so grateful to finally see you live in Brisbane earlier this year. Rest. Get well. And most of all, thank you’,

“Take care of yourself and get well soon Bruce. I have enjoyed watching you play for many years and I hope to do so again soon when you are fully recovered. You have always been my idol,”

“Take care of yourself Bruce. That’s all that matters at the end of the day – your health. I wish you a speedy recovery.”

The Jam was disbanded in 1982 by frontman Paul Weller after only five years.

Bruce announced that he needs to undergo an ‘immediate procedure’ in hospital and step down from The Jam in order to ‘fully recover’ (pictured in 2019)

His beloved fans rushed to the comments to support Bruce and congratulate him on his music over the years

The Jam were disbanded in 1982 by frontman Paul Weller after just five years together (pictured in 1979)

WHAT IS TINNITUS?

Tinnitus is the name for hearing sounds, such as ringing, buzzing or hissing, that are not caused by an external source, according to the NHS.

It occurs when the hair cells in the inner ear are damaged. These hair cells stretch and shrink under the influence of vibrations caused by sound.

Very loud noises, for example in a nightclub or through headphones, can overload these cells and damage them temporarily or permanently.

The damage forces other parts of the ear to work extra hard to compensate for the loss of function, leading to tinnitus and eventually chronic hearing loss.

According to the charity Action On Hearing Loss, around one in ten adults in the UK suffer from tinnitus

Treatment consists of counseling and therapy to help people find ways to cope with their condition and reduce the anxiety it causes.

Tinnitus retraining therapy uses sound therapy to train the brain to be less aware of ringing and buzzing sounds.

Deep breathing, yoga, and joining a support group can also help.

During that time they released no fewer than 18 singles and seven albums, all of which reached the top 40.

In 2019, Bruce announced that he had started wearing hearing aids to help ease the effects of his chronic condition tinnitus. Tinnitus causes a constant ringing in the ears and can lead to irreversible hearing loss.

“I’m not completely deaf, but I do have some hearing loss in the high frequencies,” Bruce said.

“I’ve suffered from tinnitus for years and it’s even caused me to wear hearing aids at times. Back in the days of The Jam, we were a three-piece band and had to play at full volume to sound as loud as possible,” he added.

According to research from the National Center for Health Statistics, the condition is estimated to affect 32 percent of the population in the US.

Furthermore, the British Tinnitus Association has indicated that the number of people living with the condition will increase by more than 500,000 over the next ten years.

Bruce attributes his hearing loss to years of performing at countless live concerts and standing next to loudspeakers.

“That means I have trouble hearing the high notes and the higher tones,” he said.

“But wearing a hearing aid has made a huge difference and it’s customized to amplify only the sounds that I miss. I’m wearing it more and more,” he added.

He highlights the challenges of going to restaurants and pubs when he’s not wearing a hearing aid, saying everything becomes ‘mush’.

“It’s embarrassing because I’m trying to have a conversation and when it’s that loud, there’s only so many times I can say, ‘Sorry, I didn’t hear that. What did you say?’

Bruce said the condition has caused him to become somewhat introverted. He says that after the fourth time he asks what someone said, he feels “too embarrassed to ask again.”

After The Jam split, Bruce played bass with Stiff Little Fingers. In 2006, he formed the tribute band From The Jam.