The Gig Cartel - Artist profiles: The Blockheads

Formed in 1977 to promote Ian Durys' album 'New Boots and Panties' on the first Stiff Records tour of the U.K. Chaz Jankel , Norman Watt-Roy, Charlie Charles, John Turnbull and Mick Gallagher became known as 'The Blockheads' (a reference to a song on Ian's album). As 'Ian Dury & The Blockheads' they went back out on tour, this time without Chaz Jankel, and in 1978 released 'What a Waste' a single that reached number five in the U.K. charts. In late 1978 Chaz composed 'Hit me with your Rhythm Stick' with Ian, and in 1979 had a number one hit record with it in the U.K. Ian Dury & The Blockheads went on to record the 'Do it Yourself' album and toured Europe and the U.K. recording 'Reasons to be Cheerful ,Part 3' in Rome. Released as a single in late 1979 it reached number three in the U.K. charts In March 1996 Ian was diagnosed with Cancer and, after recovering from an operation, was determined to write another album . To this end The Blockheads went into rehearsal in August 1996 and began recording at Air Studios, London in October. The album 'Mr. Lovepants' was released in 1998 and in May, Ian & The Blockheads hit the road again.The last performance by Ian Dury & The Blockheads was February 6th 2000 at The London Palladium. Ian died at 9am on 27th March 2000.

Remember All These Hits? Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll (Dury/Jankel) Wake up and Make Love With Me (Dury/Jankel) What a Waste! (Dury/Gallagher/Turnbull/Watt-Roy/Charles/Melvin Sweet Gene Vincent (Dury/Jankel) I'm Partial to Your Abracadabra (Dury/Jankel) My Old Man (Dury/Nugent) Billericay Dickie (Dury/Nugent) Clevor Trever (Dury/Jankel) There Ain't Half Been Some Clever Bastards (Dury/Hardy) Reasons to Be Cheerful, Pt. 3 (Dury/Jankel/Payne) Spasticus Autisticus (Dury/Jankel)