Ian Dury: The Definitive Biography

Description

The definitive biography of Ian Dury, published on the tenth anniversary of his death. Widely described as punk's poet laureate, Ian Dury is a cultural icon. With his band The Blockheads, he exploded onto the television screen in 1978, appearing on Top of the Pops with his hit single What a Waste, followed later that year by Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick. By now Ian was thirty-six and had worked hard for many years to reach this moment, struggling all the while to find acceptance inspite of the disability he suffered as a result of childhood polio. And yet fame, when it came, almost destroyed him.This groundbreaking and authoritative book gives the first in-depth and compelling account of the life of this charismatic yet complex artist. Author Will Birch interviewed Dury several times during his lifetime, and has also spoken to more than sixty people who were extremely close to Ian, including family members, fellow musicians, friends, lovers and business associates.

Will Birch has long experience of the music business, having been a drummer, songwriter and record producer. Today he is a journalist, writing for Mojo and other music magazines. His first book was No Sleep Till Canvey Island, The Great Pub Rock Revolution. Married with one son and a record collection, he lives in Essex.