Ian Dury The Definitive Biography
Ian Dury The Definitive Biography by Will Birch, published by Sidgwick & Jackson in 2010, offers an in-depth exploration of the life of Ian Dury, widely recognized as ‘punk’s poet laureate.’ This biography spans 382 pages and is presented in English, detailing Dury’s rise to fame with his band The Blockheads, particularly highlighting their iconic performances on television in 1978. The book delves into Dury’s struggles with disability due to childhood polio and the impact of sudden fame on his life and career.
Readers will find a comprehensive account of Dury’s complex personality and artistic journey, enriched by interviews conducted by Birch with Dury himself and over sixty individuals closely connected to him, including family, friends, and fellow musicians. This biography not only chronicles Dury’s musical achievements but also examines the cultural significance of his work within the punk genre and the entertainment landscape. Through this detailed narrative, Birch presents a multifaceted view of an artist who navigated personal and professional challenges while leaving a lasting legacy in music.
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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.
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