Roger Armstrong - Rock On + Chiswick / Ace Records

In this episode, I’m joined by Roger Armstrong -
co-founder of the legendary Rock On record shop
and the Chiswick label - to talk about his
unique vantage point on Paul Weller’s earliest days.


Long before record deals, Roger knew Paul as a meticulous record
buyer, hunting for Motown and soul 45s at his Soho Market stall.


We explore the lost world of seven-inch singles, the importance
of B-sides, and how that deep, physical relationship with records
helped shape Paul Weller’s musical values from the very
beginning.


Roger also shares first-hand memories of the Jam’s formative
period, including the legendary Soho Market performance powered
off a lightbulb, near-misses around signing the band, and how
Polydor ultimately swooped in.


Along the way, he reflects on the explosion of punk, pub rock’s
role as a bridge, encounters with Joe Strummer, and why seeing
bands before fame mattered most.


A lovely chat about records, scenes, and shared memory - and a
reminder that the core of Paul Weller’s musical DNA was set long
before the charts ever noticed.


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