Dave ‘Robbo’ Robinson, Ian Dury, Fred ’Spider’ Rowe, and The Sulphate Strangler
Kilburn and the High Roads — 1975
L to R – Malcolm M, Irish, C Jankel, Ian D, George D
When I first played with Kilburn and the High Roads Charlie Gillette was the manager, and then Robo became it.
After Robo Blackhill and Peter Jenner managed Ian, we were called ‘The Kilburns’ and then ‘Ian Dury and the Kilburns’.
When I began playing with Ian, Fred ‘Spider’ Rowe lived above Ian at Oval Mansions. Fred was Ian’s first Minder, The Sulphate Strangler later joined him (he changed his name to The Strangler) Circa 1975/6.
Ian Dury and The Kilburns — 1976
England’s Glory
This short video clip of ‘Englands Glory’ was recorded for the Janett Street Porter show and has the late and great "Irish" John Earl on Tenor Sax , my old mate George on Bass who now lives in Canada, Ed Spieght on Guitar and Chazz Jankle on Keys, and me (long haired version) on Kit.
Vidiot
This clip was recorded for Thames TV when we were called ‘The Kilburns’ (Ian’s choice of name) not ‘Kilburn and the High Roads’.
When we recorded this ‘Irish’ John Earl was the sax player and duly presented himself at the TV Studios to play but the Musicians Union shop steward for Thames TV would not let John play because his union dues were not paid up to date, so Mick Eve got the call to fill in at the last moment.
The Kilburns then went on to be called Ian Dury and the Kilburns and by then Rod Melvin who is on Piano in this clip was replaced by Chaz Jankel and the Guitarist in this clip was replaced by Ed Spieght.
The lineup is Ian Dury, Irish Ed Spieght, C Jankel, George D and Myself played the London pub, club and College circuit for a year and a half or so.
So far the only recording by that lineup to see the light of day is ‘I Made Mary Cry’ which has come out on the double c.d.version of New Boots and Panties.
