IAN DURY & THE BLOCKHEADS 1980s Vinyl Discography and Album Cover Gallery

  Ian Dury was a British singer-songwriter, musician, and actor who rose to fame in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He was a key figure in the punk and new wave music scenes in the UK, and his music was characterized by its unique blend of rock, funk, and reggae. Dury was also known for his witty and intelligent lyrics, which often dealt with themes of disability, sex, and social injustice.

  Dury was born in Harrow, Middlesex in 1942, and contracted polio at the age of seven. The illness left him with a withered left arm and leg, and he spent much of his childhood in and out of hospitals. Despite his disability, Dury was a gifted musician, and he began playing drums and piano at a young age. In the 1960s, he played in a number of bands, including Kilburn and the High Roads, which gained a following on the pub rock scene.

  It was in the late 1970s, however, that Dury achieved mainstream success. In 1977, he formed the band Ian Dury and the Blockheads, and they released their debut album, "New Boots and Panties!!" the following year. The album, which featured the hit singles "Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll" and "Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick," was a critical and commercial success, and established Dury as a major figure in the punk and new wave scenes.

  Dury's music was notable for its genre-blending sound, which drew on a wide range of influences, including rock, funk, and reggae. He was also known for his witty and intelligent lyrics, which often dealt with themes of disability, sex, and social injustice. For example, the song "Spasticus Autisticus" was a protest against the treatment of disabled people, and was banned by the BBC due to its controversial title.

  Dury's success continued throughout the 1980s, with the release of albums such as "Do It Yourself" and "Laughter," which featured the hit single "Reasons to Be Cheerful, Part 3." He also appeared in a number of films and television shows, including "The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover" and "Judge Dredd."

  Tragically, Dury was diagnosed with cancer in 1992, and passed away the following year at the age of 57. However, his legacy lived on, and he was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.

  Today, Dury is remembered as one of the most influential and innovative musicians of his generation. His music continues to inspire new generations of musicians, and his witty and intelligent lyrics continue to resonate with fans around the world. Despite the challenges he faced due to his disability, Dury never let it hold him back, and his determination and talent continue to serve as an inspiration to all who encounter his music.