dexy’s midnight runners

Kevin Rowland of Dexys a survivor by Steve Amos, also Nick Cave Hastings Pier review.

by

dexys-pic

Steve Amos… After all the losses of 2016 I thought I’d start 2017 by celebrating a survivor – Kevin Rowland of Dexys.

Back in ’68 in a sweaty club…

The evocative opening line of ‘Geno’, Dexys Midnight Runners’ tribute to Geno Washington, which hit number one in 1980. For me the equivalent would be Back in ’81 at the Old Vic Theatre, which doesn’t sound anything like as cool, but it was when I witnessed one of the great gigs of my life, Dexys Midnight Runners’ Projected Passion Revue.

continues here…

https://indiedad.live

Peter Fairless… Still searching?

Martin Richter… underrated – the first 2 albums were brilliant!

Chris van Rock… Brilliant northern soul influence and agree searching for the young soul rebels is a classic
Shame it went all a bit wrong with the later come on Eileen stuff , the image nicked off the brilliant Al Archer by Rowland after the split of the original line up … he even tried to get Big Jimmy Patterson to lose the brass section and go to strings , the last straw for the big man. Rowland was a genius , the horn sections very northern soul and still amazing listening to this day. Dance Stance still as fresh , ‘ There there my dear ‘ .. my favourite . A troubled genius … always a star.

Alan Esdaile… My favourite is Burn It Down.

Steve Amos… Was told today that Kev spent part of his wilderness years working as a barman at a pub in Frant! Can this be true?

Kev Towner… Don’t Stand Me Down is a great album as well!!

 

 

Dexys Midnight Runners photos from Mick Bolton

by

12321499_1110347072382086_7929546755303727843_n 12938205_1110347965715330_8339123579366330673_n

1916258_1110346782382115_7987166865179541946_n 12931221_1110347832382010_5269358899759763429_n

supplied by Mick Bolton 

Mick Bolton…  Thanks for sharing this to the group Alan. Some photos of Dexys Midnight Runners – had a great time recording and touring with them in ’84 and ’85 – with Vincent Crane (of Atomic Rooster) on piano and me on Hammond organ. I believe Dexys played on the pier, though that was before my time with them. There’s quite a story behind the track ‘The Way You Look Tonight’. Kevin Rowland had left the studio to do a photo-shoot or something. Just for a bit of relief from the rigours of recording, I started playing some old pub songs on the piano and some of the others were messing around singing and playing along. Kevin walked in and said ‘do you know this one?’ We ran through it just once and he said ‘OK, let’s record it.’ None of us learned any parts, we just improvised through it, including the crescendo and the ending. It’s become a real favourite with Dexys fans – maybe because it sounds so spontaneous – so I’m pleased to have been the accidental instigator of this track. This is a different band from the touring band, including Woody Woodmansey on drums.

John Austin… Saw them on the pier ! Brilliant !

Alan Esdaile… 12th June 1980 they appeared on the pier.

Tom Robinson & Dexy’s Midnight Runners – Hastings Pier gigs

by

John Storer asks...

I wonder if anyone else can remember Tom Robinson Band with Eater in support around the time of 2-4-6-8 Motorway

The other was Dexy’s Midnight Runners around the time of “Searching For The Young Soul Rebels (my second favourite album ever) – a set even shorter than The Sex Pistols. There were a few National Front idiots at the front of the stage and Kevin Rowland took the band off-stage during the third number and refused to come back out. There may even have been some band / audience fisticuffs Dexy’s are one of my all-time fave bands but this was the only time I saw them live. What really annoyed me was that a lot of mates decided not to go see them at The Pier but to go to the band’s gig at Brighton Top Rank the following night. They all returned with rave reviews and one of them still swears to this day it was the best gig he ever went to!

Philip Meston…..Didn’t see TRB, but was at the Dexy’s gig. Gig was rather spoilt by beer can throwing and disruption, which was partly due to the band not wanting to play Geno as I recall. Other than that, they really could play!!

John Austin….I saw the Dexy”s gig ! spoilt by gobbing punks !

Pete Fairless…..The Dexys gig was brief, nervous and angry… In short, of course, exactly as it should have been! Not sure anyone saw TRB on the pier!

Martyn Baker…..Yep I was there. Kevin asked the audience if they’d bought tickets just to see them perform their hit record. When lots shouted “Yeah!” He quietly said “Ever been had?”.

Leigh Weiland-Boys…..I was there that night! Anyone & everyone that knows me has heard the story…I seem to recall a lot of spitting going on!

Pete Fairless….Eater supported The Stranglers, it may be that gig that John is thinking of. Eater were dire, probably the worst band I ever saw on the pier.

Alan Esdaile….It does look like Tom Robinson did not appear, unless anyone knows different? Could it have been The Crpyt?

Sarah Harvey….I have seen an advert for TRB but just need to find it. As i remember it wasn’t the biggest advert I have ever seen….could have been supporting someone else. Can’t remember actually seeing them.