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Formed in 1977 to promote Ian Dury's 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'.
From 1979 -1982 the band released a series of classics singles such as Hit me with your rhythm stick, Reasons to be cheerful Pt.3, What a waste and more. Briefly joined by Wilko Johnson & Don Cherry the group disbanded in 1982 only to reform in 1994 when they were asked to be special guests at the "Madstock" event in Finsbury Park, London by Madness.
In 1996 Ian Dury was diagnosed with cancer. The last recording by Ian Dury & the Blockheads was Mr. Lovepants in 1996. The last performance by Ian Dury & the Blockheads was in 2000 at the London Palladium.
"Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll” (the recent biopic of front man and lyricist Ian Dury) and the musical Reasons to be Cheerful has seen a resurgence in the bands popularity.
The Blockheads are fronted by Derek ‘The Draw’ Hussey; Chaz Jankel, Norman Watt-Roy, John Turnbull and Mick Gallagher still remain from the original band and the current line-up is augmented by John Roberts on drums, Lee Harris on guitar and Gilad Atzmon & Terry Edwards on Saxophone.