Paul Weller: The modfather in pictures

Photographer Lawrence Watson exclusively reveals the stories behind his key shots from a new book documenting Paul Weller’s solo career:

I started photographing Paul in 1992, three years after he’d found himself without band or recording deal for the first time since he was 17.

Nobody wanted him! Polydor didn’t like his album, even though he was ahead of the game – he’d made a house album – and so he was left out in the wild for a bit. He had to re-evaluate everything.

I think it was the first time in his life someone had told him they didn’t like what he did, so I’m sure it was pretty strange for him. In 1991, he began touring small venues as The Paul Weller Movement, playing a mix of hits from The Jam as well as new solo material.

Into Tomorrow by Paul Weller, Photographs by Lawrence Watson the signed limited edition book of 2,000 copies from www.WellerBook.com, Tel: +44 (0)1483540 970, £325