He was an English percussionist and singer born Derek Hussey who got his name from Ian Dury who said he was “good at drawing”.
Prior to being in the music business he was a businessman who spent his time running a special effects company with his brother that worked on films including The Man with the Golden Gun and Gladiator.
He met Ian Dury through a friend and became a long time part of the band The Blockheads as his on-stage minder. After the death of his long time friend he took over a large part of the vocals for the band. Alongside the work for The Blockheads he also performed with the London duo Chas & Dave.
He died in his sleep February 2022 when he was 64 years old.
Here he is with The Blockheads performing his co-written “Greed”…
Source:
- https://usalocalities.com/2022/02/18/obituary-cause-of-death-with-great-sadness-the-blockheads-must-announce-the-passing-of-their-friend-singer-and-bandmate-derek-hussey-who-died-in-his-sleep-last-night-we-are-all-shocked-and-a/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Blockheads
- http://www.whatson-north.co.uk/Whats-On/Music/Blockheads-give-Derek-reasons-to-be-cheerful-08082014.htm
- www.sthelenstoday.net/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=1584&ArticleID=1771887
- http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/1789166.derek_the_draw_of_the_blockheads/