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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZDEXY'S MIDNIGHT RUNNERSUK rock band based in Birmingham, ever-changing lineup fronted by volatile Kevin Rowland (b 17 Aug. '53, Wolverhampton). Formed post-punk as powerful purveyors of dance music, drawing heavily on '60s soul, R&B; staunchly anti-fashion amid 'new romantics' of early '80s. Arrived with no. 1 UK hit 'Geno', tribute to Geno Washington; 'There There My Dear' no. 7; debut LP Searching For The Young Soul Rebels '80 led to run-in with record company, leading to Dexy's hijacking tapes of their own album, which revealed an earnestly political Rowland (i.e. orthodox anti- Thatcher) whose abrasiveness also led to frequent run-ins with music press. 'Plan B' on Parlophone reached only no. 58; later records on Mercury/Phonogram. 'Celtic Soul Brothers' no. 45, then 'Come On Eileen' no. 1 both UK/USA '82--3, credited to 'Dexy's Midnight Runners with the Emerald Express' (instrumental group). LP Too Rye-Ay '82 rumoured to incl. collaboration with Van Morrison: it didn't, but incl. his 'Jackie Wilson Said (I'm In Heaven When You Smile)' (UK no. 5) and stamped with his influence, a folky fiddle fusion of black music sound with trad. Irish music, e.g. horns with violin of Helen O'Hara (b 5 Nov. '56); 'This One Last Mad Waltz', 'Until I Believe In My Soul' were hybrids of Celtic soul. Many years later Rowland confessed that he'd taken all the credit for the sound of the hits, which should have gone to guitarist Kevin Archer (then known as Al Archer to avoid confusion with Kevin Ayers). New version of 'The Celtic Soul Brothers' released: no. 20 UK '83, minor hit USA. Don't Stand Me Down '85 ended a long silence, rumoured to be an expensive production, the band's image changed from dungarees and stubble to earnest business suits, but Rowland histrionics intact: new LP had six long tracks with snatches of dialogue. 'Because Of You' top 20 UK hit '86, followed by an even longer silence. Seen as one of the more interesting UK bands of the era, groups to come out of Dexy's incl. Bureau and TKO Horns; Rowland came back '97 with a solo album of cover versions, a new Dexy's |