He is an English bass guitarist and singer who started recording in 1967 when he and his brother, Garth, were with The Living Daylights. A year later the two of them were influenced by Stax and Tamla-Motown recordings and formed the soul band The Greatest Show on Earth which toured US bases in Europe and had the hit “Real Cool World” which reached No. 1 in Switzerland.
After they disbanded he joined the group Glencoe and during that time he met John Turnbull, Mick Gallagher and Charlie Charles and they would go on to form the band Loving Awareness.
Chaz Jankel and Ian Dury joined them and they would become Ian Dury and the Blockheads. They were successful with their hits such as “Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick” and “Reasons to be Cheerful, Part 3”.
Aside from his success with Ian Dury he has also played as a session musician on songs and albums with such artists as Nick Lowe, The Clash, Madness and Rachel Sweet. He also played on the No. 1 singles “Relax” by Frankie Goes to Hollywood and “You’ll Always Find Me in the Kitchen at Parties” by Jona Lewie. He has toured with Wilko Johnson considerably and still plays with The Blockheads following Ian Dury’s death.
Ian Dury and the Blockheads Recordings
Reasons to Be Cheerful, Part 3 (Ian Dury/Davey Payne/Chaz Jankel)
Common as Muck (“All credit given to Arnold Chickenshorts”)
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