Tag Archives: Ian Dury

Cool to be Kind – talking Sunbirds and The South with Phil Barton

When The Beautiful South split in 2007 after a highly successful two-decade run, it seemed that the end of the party had come too soon for co-founder Dave Hemingway. Hammy, as he’s known, was there from the outset, joining forces … Continue reading

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A Man You Don’t Meet Every Day – talking A Furious Devotion: The Authorised Story of Shane MacGowan with Richard Balls

After acclaimed music books on Ian Dury and Stiff Records, you could argue it was almost inevitable that established rock biographer Richard Balls would turn his attention to Pogues frontman and somehow living legend Shane MacGowan next. But there was … Continue reading

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Liam Ó Maonlaí, Jacquelyn Hynes and Clive Mellor / Hungry Bentley – Penwortham, The Venue

A night out with Liam Ó Maonlaí is a spiritual affair, and the intimate surroundings of this Lancashire arts centre proved perfect for our Dublin visitor, a sell-out crowd clearly there for a full-on music experience rather than casual chats … Continue reading

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Chance would be a fine thing – the Baxter Dury interview

“I went for a walk this morning and found this incredible deli that was open, serving food outside, and couldn’t resist buying some ridiculously-overpriced pizza pie. So my son and I could eat this delicious kind of apocalypse meal. We’ve … Continue reading

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From Bombay to Sala Apolo, o’er the hills and far away – the Norman Watt-Roy interview

I should warn you before you get any further that there’s an underlying current of adulation in this here feature/interview. Another day and another musical hero brought to book (or the WonderWeb in this case), as I spend an all-too-quick … Continue reading

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Forever switched on – back in touch with Andy Kershaw

It’s been 35 years since Andy Kershaw left West Yorkshire’s Radio Aire, redundancy from his promotions manager role in November 1983 proving the catalyst for a wealth of  adventures in rock’n’roll and broadcasting. “Was there ever a more productive sacking, … Continue reading

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One Man’s Madness (I call it gladness) – the Lee Thompson interview

Lee Thompson was at home when I called, ‘sort of just inside 12 o’clock on the M25,’ where he’s been based around 30 years now. Born in St Pancras, NW1 in 1957, this esteemed saxophonist/songwriter’s postcode is EN5 rather than that … Continue reading

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Why Chas & Dave Mustn’t Grumble – in conversation with Dave Peacock

  When Dave Peacock lost his wife Sue to cancer in 2009, it seemed to mark the end of the Chas & Dave story, ending their professional partnership after 34 years. But a year later the pair announced a tour … Continue reading

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Playing the mind guerilla – back in touch with Wilko Johnson

Five years after being diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer, R’n’B guitar legend Wilko Johnson is still very much with us, in the form of his life, and more than happy to talk about the power of rock’n’roll and survival against all … Continue reading

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Return to Deeply Vale – in conversation with festival pioneer Chris Hewitt

Forty years ago, an estimated 20,000 punters congregated in the North West of England for the third of the legendary if somewhat quirky Deeply Vale free festivals, just two years after 300 attended the first. Those looking on and duly … Continue reading

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