Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

mahatmakanejeeves

(57,489 posts)
Fri Oct 29, 2021, 03:25 PM Oct 2021

On this day, October 29, 1945, Mick Gallagher, of Ian Dury & The Blockheads, was born.

Mick Gallagher


Gallagher on tour with Animals and Friends, France 2008

Background information
Birth name: Michael William Gallagher
Also known as: Mickey Gallagher
Born: 29 October 1945 (age 76); Fenham, Newcastle upon Tyne, England, United Kingdom


Mick Gallagher and Davey Payne, with The Blockheads, at Water Rats, July 2011

Michael William Gallagher (born 29 October 1945) is an English Hammond organ player best known as a member of Ian Dury and the Blockheads and for his contributions to albums by the Clash. He has also written music for films such as Extremes (1971) and After Midnight (1990), and the Broadway play Serious Money (1987).

{snip}

Ian Dury and the Blockheads

Main article: The Blockheads

Under the management of Andrew King and Peter Jenner, the original managers of Pink Floyd, Ian Dury and the Blockheads quickly gained a reputation as one of the top live acts of new wave music. The Blockheads' sound drew from its members' diverse musical influences, which included jazz, rock and roll, funk, reggae and Dury's love of music hall. Gallagher's Hammond sound was a major contribution to the band.

The single "Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll", released 26 August 1977, marked Blockheads' Stiff debut. Although it was banned by the BBC, it was named Single of the Week by NME on its release. The single issue was soon followed at the end of September by the album New Boots and Panties!!, which, although it did not include the single, achieved platinum status.

In October 1977 Gallagher and the band started performing as Ian Dury & the Blockheads, when the band signed on for the Stiff "Live Stiffs Tour" alongside Elvis Costello & the Attractions, Nick Lowe, Wreckless Eric and Larry Wallis. The tour was a success, and Stiff launched a concerted Ian Dury marketing campaign, resulting in the Top Ten hit "What a Waste", and the hit single "Hit Me with Your Rhythm Stick", which reached No. 1 in the UK at the beginning of 1979, selling just short of a million copies. Again, "Hit Me" was not included on the original release of the subsequent album Do It Yourself. Both the single and its accompanying music video featured Davey Payne playing two saxophones simultaneously during his solo, in evident homage to jazz saxophonist Rahsaan Roland Kirk, whose "trademark" technique this was. With their hit singles, the band built up a dedicated following in the UK and other countries, and their next single "Reasons to be Cheerful, Part 3" made number three in the UK.

{snip}



TOPPOP: Ian Dury & The Blockheads - Sex & Drugs & Rock 'n' Roll
183,822 views Feb 6, 2013

TopPop
69.9K subscribers

Artist: Ian Dury & The Blockheads
Title: Sex & Drugs & Rock 'n' Roll
Broadcast date: 28-1-1978
TV program: TopPop
Video rights: AVRO

http://www.avro.tv gives you easy access to unique footage. .

TopPop was the first regular dedicated pop music TV show in the Dutch language area. Dutch broadcaster AVRO aired the programme weekly, from 1970 to 1988. Presenter Ad Visser hosted the show for its first fifteen years.

World famous music artists performed on TopPop: ABBA, 10CC, Bee Gees, The Jacksons, David Bowie, Earth & Fire, Boney M, Smokie, KC & The Sunshine Band, Chick, Donna Summer, Rod Stewart, and many many more.

Watch our great music videos ❯ https://goo.gl/1mU5Ns
More TopPop? Subscribe here ❯ https://goo.gl/GggHDi
More info on Wikipedia ❯ http://goo.gl/RO1s74
Great images ❯ https://goo.gl/HuIwTy

PLEASE NOTE:
All copyrights for all videos on this official TopPop YouTube channel are cleared and belong to Dutch public broadcaster AVROTROS. Please contact copyright@expoza.com for copyright-inquiries or tom.steenbergen@avrotros.nl for licensing.



#IanDury #TheBlockheads #SexAndDrugsAndRockAndRoll
Ian Dury and The Blockheads – Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll (Live - Official HD Video)
424,600 views Jan 15, 2010

Ian Dury & The Blockheads
12.6K subscribers

Order “Hit Me! The Best Of” by Ian Dury here: https://iandury.lnk.to/HitMeBestOfyv

“Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll” is the 1977 single released by Ian Dury and features three members of The Blockheads.

Though failing to chart on its original release the song became synonymous with Ian and the Blockheads and gave its name to the 2010 Ian Dury biopic starring Andy Serkis.

Follow Ian Dury and the Blockheads

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IanDuryandth...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ianduryofficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ianduryoffi...

LYRICS:
Sex and drugs and rock and roll
Is all my brain and body need
Sex and drugs and rock and roll
Is very good indeed

Keep your silly ways, or throw them out the window
The wisdom of your ways, I've been there and I know
Lots of other ways, what a jolly bad show
If all you ever do is business you don't like

Sex and drugs and rock and roll
Sex and drugs and rock and roll
Sex and drugs and rock and roll
Is very good indeed

Every bit of clothing ought to make you pretty
You can cut the clothing, grey is such a pity
I should wear the clothing of Mr. Walter Mitty
See my tailor, he's called Simon, I know it's going to fit

Here's a little bit of advice
You're quite welcome it is free:
Don't do nothing that is cut price
You know what that'll make you be
They will try their tricky device
Trap you with the ordinary
Get your teeth into a small slice
The cake of liberty

#IanDury #TheBlockheads #SexAndDrugsAndRockAndRoll

czgibson 9 years ago

Godlike genius. This should be the UK national anthem.



#IanDury #TheBlockheads #HitMeWithYourRhythmStick
Ian Dury and The Blockheads – Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick (Official HD Video)
6,803,815 views Dec 18, 2009

Ian Dury & The Blockheads
12.6K subscribers

Order “Hit Me! The Best Of” by Ian Dury here: https://iandury.lnk.to/HitMeBestOfyv

“Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick” reached number 1 in the UK singles chart in January 1979 as well as being a hit in several other countries. Here’s the original video updated in glorious HD.

Follow Ian Dury and the Blockheads
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IanDuryandth...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ianduryofficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ianduryoffi...

LYRICS:
In the deserts of Sudan
And the gardens of Japan
From Milan to Yucatán
Every woman, every man

Hit me with your rhythm stick
Hit me! Hit me!
Je t'adore, ich liebe dich
Hit me! Hit me! Hit me!

Hit me with your rhythm stick
Hit me slowly, hit me quick
Hit me! Hit me! Hit me!

In the wilds of Borneo
And the vineyards of Bordeaux
Eskimo, Arapaho
Move their body to and fro

Hit me with your rhythm stick
Hit me! Hit me!
Das ist gut, c'est fantastique
Hit me! Hit me! Hit me!

Hit me with your rhythm stick
It's nice to be a lunatic
Hit me! Hit me! Hit mmmeeee!
Hit me! Hit me! Hit me!

In the dock of Tiger Bay
On the road to Mandalay
From Bombay to Santa Fé
Over the hills to Brixton Academy!

Hit me with your rhythm stick
Hit me! Hit me!
C'est si bon, ist es nicht
Hit me! Hit me! Hit me!
Hit me with your rhythm stick

Two fat persons, click, click, click
Hit me! Hit me! Hit me!
Hit me! Hit me! Hit me!

#IanDury #TheBlockheads #HitMeWithYourRhythmStick

Daniel Lapena-Barry 11 months ago

Unbelievably talented band. Double sax solo, insane funky bass, epic piano chord voicing/harmonies, rock solid drummer, interesting and intriguing vocals and intense stage presence. Geniuses.
Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Music Appreciation»On this day, October 29, ...