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Ian Dury and Chas Jankel formed the band the Blockheads
after they had collaborated as songwriters and worked together as members
of Radio Caroline's Loving Awareness Band. They had initially put an album out
with other members of this band but it wasn't until they joined Stiff
Records that they saw success. They
debuted with "Sex, Drugs & Rock and Roll" which later has
been credited with introducing the phrase and followed it with the platinum
album New Boots and Panties! Only after this success did they
call themselves Ian Dury and the Blockheads and toured with artists such as
Nick Lowe and Elvis Costello in the "Live Stiffs Tour". The name "The
Blockheads" was chosen from a name Ian Dury had given to certain
unpleasant youths from London. The single that brought them
success was "Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick" which became a
major hit throughout Europe, reaching No. 1 on the UK charts. They did not release their singles
on their albums of that time and they just appeared on various Best of Ian Dury and the Blockheads
later releases. They disbanded
in 1981 after Ian Dury had decided to work with a young group of musicians
and change the record label.
They re-united and have recorded further albums and perform live and
continue to perform after Ian Dury's death as The Blockheads. Their album New Boots and Panties was remade as
a tribute to Ian Dury with the original tracks sung by artists including
Robbie Williams, Madness and Sir Paul McCartney.
Members
Ian Dury
(vocals)
Chaz Jankel
(guitar)
Charlie Charles
(drums)
Norman Watt-Roy
(bass)
Mickey Gallagher
(keyboards)
John Turnbull
(guitar)
Davey Payne
(saxophone)
Wilko Johnson
(guitar)
Gilad Atzmon
(saxophone)
Dave Lewis
(saxophone)
Derek the Draw
(vocals)
Lee Harris
(guitar)
Dylan Howe
(drums)
Mark Snowling
(bass)
Ian Dury and
the Blockheads Recordings
Reasons to Be
Cheerful, Part 3 (Ian Dury/Davey Payne/Chaz Jankel)
Common as Muck
(All credit given to "Arnold Chickenshorts")
Source:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Dury
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