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 Micky Gallagher – became known as The Blockheads.
As Ian Dury & The Blockheads they went back out on tour, and in 1978 released What a Waste a single that reached #5 in the U.K. charts. They were then joined by saxophonist Davey Payne and toured the U.S.A supporting Lou Reed.
In 1979 Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick (#1 in the UK charts) and Reasons to be Cheerful, Part 3 (#3 in the UK charts) were released along with the classic Do It Yourself LP.
Ian Dury & The Blockheads disbanded in 1982 only to reform in the early 1990’s to perform at the ‘Madstock‘ Festival in Finsbury Park headlined by Madness.
