On January 26, 2026, Lowell Fillmore “Sly” Dunbar died aged 73. He was musician (drums, percussion), best known as one half of the Jamaican rhythm section and reggae production duo Sly and Robbie. Sly performed and recorded with The Aggrovators, The Upsetters, The Revolutionaries, Peter Tosh, Bob Dylan, Grace Jones, Herbie Hancock, Joe Cocker, The Rolling Stones, Joan Armatrading, Serge Gainsbourg, Larry McDonald, Gary Barlow, Dennis Brown, Jackson Browne, Jimmy Cliff, Bootsy Collins, Carlene Davis, Ian Dury, Gwen Guthrie, Nona Hendryx, Mick Jagger, Garland Jeffreys, Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers, Jenny Morris, Yoko Ono, Sinéad O’Connor, Barry Reynolds, Carly Simon and Simply Red.
Tag Archives: Ian Dury
Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine: 1992 – The Love Album
On May 4, 1992, “Chrysalis” label released “1992 – The Love Album”, the third Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine studio album. It was recorded in 1991, at “Notice Studios” in London, and was produced by Simon Painter, Jim “Jim Bob” Morrison and Les “Fruitbat” Carter.
Personnel:
- Jim “Jim Bob” Morrison – vocals
- Les “Fruitbat” Carter – vocals, guitars
- Ian Dury – readings, narrator
- Simon Painter – engineer
- Kevin Metcalf – mastering
- Carter EEC – design
- Andy G – design
- Stuart D – design
Track listing:
All tracsks by Jim Morrison and Les Carter except where noted.
- 1993
- Is Wrestling Fixed?
- The Only Living Boy in New Cross
- Suppose You Gave a Funeral and Nobody Came
- England
- Do Re Me, So Far So Good
- Look Mum, No Hands
- While You Were Out
- Skywest and Crooked
- The Impossible Dream – Mitch Leigh, Joe Darion
Ian Dury & The Blockheads: Mr. Love Pants
On June 29, 1998, “East Central One” and “Ronnie Harris Records” labels released “Mr. Love Pants”, the eight Ian Dury and The Blockheads album. It was recorded in October 1997, and was produced by Ian Dury, Chaz Jankel, Mick Gallagher, Davey Payne, John Tumbull, Norman Watt Roy and Steve Monti.
Personnel:
- Ian Dury- vocals
- Chaz Jankel- guitar, keyboards
- Mick Gallagher- keyboards
- Davey Payne- saxophones, flute
- John Turnbull- guitar
- Norman Watt-Roy- bass
- Steve Monti – drums
- The Breezeblocks – backing vocals
- Kevin Paul, Juw & Eon – engineer
- Laurie Latham– mixing
- John Bailey – mixing assistant
- Storm Thorgerson, Sam Brooks, Hannah Evans – design
- Jon Crossland – graphics, illustrations
- Duncan Poundcake’ – band photographs
- Rupert Truman, Sam Brooks – dog photographs
Track listing:
All tracks by Ian Dury and Chaz Jankel, except where noted.
- Jack Shit George – Ian Dury, Merlin Rhys-Jones
- The Passing Show
- You’re My Baby
- Honeysuckle Highway
- Itinerant Child
- Geraldine – Ian Dury, Mickey Gallagher
- Cacka Boom – Ian Dury, Merlin Rhys-Jones
- Bed O. Roses No. 9
- Heavy Living
- Mash It Up Harry
Wreckless Eric: Same
On June 1, 1978, “Stiff” label released the self-titled, debut Wreckless Eric album. It was recorded 1977 – 1978, at “Bar Snack Studios” and was produced by Barry Farmer, Larry Wallis, Ian Dury and Nick Lowe.
Personnel:
- Wreckless Eric – vocals, guitars, drums
- Larry Wallis– guitar
- Charlie Hart – Vox organ; accordion, Farfisa organ, piano
- Barry Payne – bass guitar
- Steve Currie- bass guitar
- Nick Lowe- bass, guitars
- Steve Goulding– drums
- David Lutton – drums
- Davey Payne- alto and tenor saxophone
- John Glyn – tenor saxophone
- The Lillettes – backing vocals
- Chas Herington – recording
Track listing:
All tracks by Wreckless Eric, except where noted.
- Reconnez Cherie
- Rags and Tatter
- Waxworks
- Telephoning Home
- Grown Ups
- Whole Wide World
- Rough Kids – Ian Dury, Russell Hardy
- Personal Hygiene
- Brain Thieves
- There Isn’t Anything Else
Ian Dury & The Music Students: 4.000 Weeks
On January 27, 1984, “Polydor” label released “4,000 Weeks’ Holiday”, album by Ian Dury & The Music Students. It was recorded in 1983, and was produced by Adam Kidron.
Personnel:
- Ian Dury– vocals (credited by the pseudonym ‘D. Poundcake’)
- Michael McEvoy;– bass, keyboards, synthesizers, brass arranger
- Merlin Rhys-Jones – guitar
- Tag Lamche – drums
- Ray Cooper– percussion
- Geoff Castle – synthesisers
- Chaz Jankel– lead guitar
- Ed Speight – lead guitar
- Chris Taylor – drums
- Davey Payne– saxophones
- Jamie Talbot– saxophones
- Steve Sidwell– trumpet, clarinet
- Rico Rodriguez– trombone
- Neil Sidwell – trombone
- Jackie Challenor, Lorenza Johnson, Mae McKenna, Humphrey Dorsett, Andy Fairweather-Low- backing vocals
- Alan Douglas – engineer
- Keith Nixon – engineer assistant
- Barney Bubbles- design
Track listing:
- (You’re My) Inspiration – Ian Dury, Michael McEvoy
- Friends – Ian Dury, Russell Hardy
- Tell Your Daddy – Ian Dury, Roderick Melvin
- Peter the Painter – Ian Dury, Michael McEvoy
- Ban the Bomb – Ian Dury, Russell Hardy
- Percy the Poet – Ian Dury, Michael McEvoy
- Very Personal – Ian Dury, Russell Hardy
- Take Me To The Cleaners – Ian Dury, Michael McEvoy
- The Man With No Face – Ian Dury, Russell Hardy
- Really Glad You Came – Ian Dury, Michael McEvoy
Ian Dury: Lord Upminster
In September 1981, “Polydor” label released “Lord Upminster”, the second Ian Dury studio album. It was recorded April – May 1981, at “Compass Point Studios” in Nassau, Bahamas, and was produced by Chas Jankel, Steven Stanley and Ian Dury.
Personnel:
- Ian Dury – vocals
- Chas Jankel – guitars, keyboards
- Robbie Shakespeare – bass guitars
- Sly Dunbar- drums
- Tyrone Downie- clavinets, prophet-5, piano
- Chas, Gina, Harold, Laura, Tina, Tyrone – backing vocals
- Steven Stanley – recording, mixing
- Harold Dorsett – recording, mixing assistant
- Paul Kaye – photography
Track listing:
All tracks by Ian Dury and Chas Jankel, except where noted.
- Funky Disco (Pops)
- Red (Letter)
- Girls (Watching) – Sly Dunbar
- Wait (For Me)
- The (Body Song)
- Lonely (Town)
- Lonely (Town)
- Trust (Is A Must)
- Spasticus (Autisticus)
Emmanuel “Rico” Rodriguez
On September 4, 2015, Emmanuel “Rico” Rodriguez died aged 80. He was musician (trombone), one of the first and most distinguished reggae and ska artists. He has formed the group Rico and the Rudies, and has recorded and performed with many famous musicians and producers including Karl Pitterson, Prince Buster, Lloyd “Matador” Daley, Jools Holland’s Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, Bob Marley, Toots & the Maytals, Delroy Washington , Burning Spear, The Specials, Jools Holland, Dennis Bovell, Ian Dury, Chas Jankel, Joan Armatrading, John Martyn, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Steel Pulse and Paul Young. In 2007, he was awarded an “MBE” (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for services to music. For his contribution to Jamaican music, in 2012 he was awarded the “Silver Musgrave Medal” by the “Institute of Jamaica”.
Ian Dury & The Blockheads: Laughter
On November 28, 1980, “Stiff” label released “Laughter”, the third Ian Dury & The Blockheads album. It was recorded in 1980, and was produced by Ian Dury, Wilko Johnson, Johnny Turnbull, Mick Gallagher, Norman Watt-Roy, Charley Charles and Davey Payne.
Personnel:
- Ian Dury- vocals
- Wilko Johnson- guitars, backing vocals
- Johnny Turnbull- guitars, backing vocals
- Mick Gallagher- keyboards, synthesisers
- Norman Watt-Roy- bass
- Charley Charles – drums
- Davey Payne- saxophones, harmonica, flute
- Don Cherry- pocket trumpet
- Will Gaines – tap dance
- Ray Cooper– percussion
- Ivor Raymonde– strings
- Ian Horne – engineer, mixing
- Rick Wernham – engineer assistant
- Ray Gregory, Brain Love – design
- Chris Killip– photography
Track listing:
- Superman’s Big Sister – Ian Dury, Wilko Johnson
- Pardon – Ian Dury, Norman Watt-Roy
- Delusions of Grandeu – Ian Dury, Mick Gallagher
- Yes and No (Paula) – Ian Dury, Davey Payne
- Dance of the Crackpots – Ian Dury, Johnny Turnbull
- Over The Points – Ian Dury, Johnny Turnbull
- (Take Your Elbow Out of the Soup) You’re Sitting On The Chicken – Ian Dury, Mick Gallagher
- Uncoolohol – Ian Dury, Charley Charles
- Hey, Hey, Take Me Away – Ian Dury, Mick Gallagher
- Manic Depression (Jimi) – Ian Dury, Mick Gallagher
- Oh Mr. Peanut – Ian Dury, Wilko Johnson
- Fucking Ada – Ian Dury, Johnny Turnbull
Ian Dury & The Blockheads: Do It Yourself
On May 18, 1979, “Stiff” label released “Do It Yourself”, the first Ian Dury album credited with the Blockheads. It was recorded in 1978, at “The Workhouse” in London, and was produced by Chas Jankel and Laurie Latham.
Personnel:
- Ian Dury- vocals
- John Turnbull- guitars
- Chaz Jankel- keyboards, guitars
- Mick Gallagher- keyboards
- Davey Payne- saxophones
- Norman Watt-Roy- bass
- Charley Charles – drums
- The Breezeblocks – backing Vocals
Track listing:
All lyrics by Ian Dury, all music by Chaz Jankel, except where noted
- Inbetweenies
- Quiet – John Turnbull, Mick Gallagher, Norman Watt-Roy, Charley Charles
- Don’t Ask Me
- Sink My Boats
- Waiting for Your Taxi
- This is What We Find – Mick Gallagher
- Uneasy Sunny Day Hotsy-Totsy – John Turnbull
- Mischeif – Norman Watt – Roy, Mick Gallagher
- Dance of the Screamers
- Lullaby for Francies
Ian Dury: New Boots And Panties!!
On September 30, 1977, “Stiff Records” released “New Boots and Panties!!”, the debut Ian Dury album. It was recorded in 1977, at “The Workhouse” in London, and was was produced by Peter Jenner, Laurie Latham and Rick Walton. The album was certified Platinum in the UK by the “BPI”, and was among the UK’s 30 best selling albums of both 1978 and 1979.
Personnel:
- Ian Dury– vocals
- Chaz Jankel– guitars, keyboards
- Edward Speight – ballad guitar
- Geoff Castle – Moog synthesizer
- Norman Watt-Roy– bass
- Charley Charles – drums
- Davey Payne– saxophones
- Chris Gabrin – photography
- Barney Bubbles– brush lettering
All tracks by Ian Dury and Chaz Jankel, except where noted.
- Wake Up and Make Love with Me
- Sweet Gene Vincent
- I’m Partial to Your Abracadabra
- My Old Man – Ian Dury, Steve Nugent
- Billericay Dickie – Ian Dury, Steve Nugent
- Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll
- Clevor Trever
- If I Was With a Woman
- Blockheads
- Plaistow Patricia – Ian Dury, Steve Nugent
- Blackmail Man – Ian Dury, Steve Nugent
musicalphabet 