Date of Birth: May 12, 1942
Zodiac Sign: Taurus
Date of Death: March 27, 2000
Biography
Ian Robins Dury was born on May 12, 1942, in Harrow, Middlesex, England. He was an influential English rock and roll singer-songwriter and actor who rose to fame during the late 1970s. Dury is best known as the lead singer of the band Ian Dury and the Blockheads, which achieved commercial success with hits like “Hit Me with Your Rhythm Stick,” “Reasons to be Cheerful, Part 3,” and “Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll.” Dury’s early life was marked by adversity, contracting polio at the age of seven, which left him with a withered arm and leg. Despite these challenges, he pursued an education in art, attending the Royal College of Art, and later becoming a lecturer at Canterbury College of Art. In 1971, he formed the band Kilburn and the High Roads, which became known for their pub rock style, although they did not achieve significant commercial success. It was with the formation of Ian Dury and the Blockheads in 1977 that his career truly took off. The band’s unique blend of rock, funk, and jazz, combined with Dury’s witty, often provocative lyrics, garnered them a dedicated following. Dury’s career continued with various solo projects and collaborations, including acting roles in films like “The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover” and “Judge Dredd.” Despite facing ongoing health issues, including cancer, Dury remained active in the music and entertainment industry until his death on March 27, 2000.
5 Interesting Facts about Ian Dury
1. Ian Dury was diagnosed with polio at the age of seven, which significantly affected his physical mobility but not his determination to succeed.
2. Dury was an accomplished artist and lecturer before his music career took off, having taught at Canterbury College of Art.
3. He was a founding member of the band Kilburn and the High Roads before forming Ian Dury and the Blockheads.
4. “Hit Me with Your Rhythm Stick” was a number one hit in the UK Singles Chart in 1979.
5. Dury was actively involved in charity work, particularly in supporting polio sufferers and cancer research.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Ian Dury
1. “Sex and drugs and rock and roll are all my brain and body need.”
2. “There ain’t half been some clever bastards.”
3. “I could be a writer with a growing reputation; I could be the ticket man at Fulham Broadway Station.”
4. “I believe that music is a force for good.”
5. “You don’t need a degree in engineering to make music.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Ian Dury’s net worth was estimated to be approximately £2 million.
Children
Ian Dury had four children: 1. Jemima Dury 2. Baxter Dury (who followed in his father’s footsteps and became a musician) 3. Bill Dury 4. Albert Dury
Relevant Links
1. [Ian Dury – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Dury
2. [Ian Dury and The Blockheads Official Site](https://www.theblockheads.com/
3. [Discogs: Ian Dury](https://www.discogs.com/artist/29132-Ian-Dury
4. [BBC Music – Ian Dury](https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/artists/3a6a8a9f-6d43-467a-8ee8-3f4a8b1d6051
