Biggest regret

Luckily regrets isn't something I specialise in, I am only 24 after all.

However there is one that sticks in the memory and this involves an old singer who had polio from a very young age and died of cancer in 2000. This of course is Ian Dury, the Godfather of punk. He was playing his last gig just months before he died to which I desperately wanted to go. Unfortunately I was only 17 at the time and didn't know a fellow fan of the great man (despite asking my friends on several occasions and insisting what a genius he is). I certainly didn't fancy going alone, so alas I missed it. Then the news was announced on 27th March, 2000 that Ian Dury had died. I can't say I was that shocked as he was very ill, however, it's never nice to hear of a legend like that going, knowing no new material will be written.

Luckily before he died he recorded several songs, one of which (recorded with Madness) is an absolute cracker "Drip Fed Fred", where his growling, raspy tones are put to full effect! Ian Dury wrote witty, inventive songs, and with his Blockheads, the music matched the quality of the lyrics and is often, sadly, very underrated. He wrote several hits such as Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll and Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick and as well as some controversial songs such as Spasticus (Autisticus) even though this was simply highlighting his own disability.

Long live Mr. Love Pants!

Ian Dury

12th May 1942 - 27th March 2000