Heart of a Punk - Soul of a Rasta

A Question for Mr Rowland
(Be patient I'm going to take my time getting there)

Kevin Rowland and I do have several things in common, we were both born in Wolverhampton, we both have Irish blood coursing through our veins and we both are Wolves fans. (I've gleaned these facts about Mr Rowland from the internet - so perhaps we don't actually have anything in common at all). Anyway similarities aside, what separates the two of us? Well, 10 years of life for a start, a couple of number 1 singles, three classic albums, an instantly recognisable mug, an instantly recognisable voice, talent, style, charisma - yeah OK the differences are too numerous to mention! But hey in life it's the commonalities not the divisions that matter - isn't it? And perhaps the three fundamentals we share: BIRTH, BLOOD & PASSION will be enough of connection to excuse my selfish intrusion and impertinent enquiry.

But before this let me tell you about the time I first clapped eyes on Mr Rowland. It wasn't in Wolverhampton, oh no. And it wasn't at a gig. I think it was late '79? Or was it early 1980? Had I seen him on Top of the Pops already? Or did I recognise him from a picture in the NME? Perhaps I didn't know who he was at the time, perhaps I twigged later. Anyway the first time I saw Kevin Rowland and the rest of the Dexy's they were all standing on the steps of 135a King Edward House New Street Birmingham. There they were in full Young Soul Rebel regalia; black leather jacket, black donkey jacket, black Seaman's jacket, black knitted hat, white knitted hat, black trousers, black blue turned up jeans. What were they doing there? Just been for a pint at "The Yard of Ale" next door? Just hanging? I dunno. What was I doing? Well I was just walking on by, on my way to the Top Rank to see The Stranglers or Sham 69 or someone? Or was I on my way to Digbeth Civic Hall to see JJ Burnel or Magazine? I dunno. No answers here just questions.

Well I agree it's not a great story but what I'm trying to say is this; I've walked down Birmingham New Street a million and one times in my life. Back in the day I saw a million and one bands at the Odeon New Street and subsequently I've watched a million and one films there. Bands, music, images and dialogue, some remain in the memory some are erased. But after nearly 30 years the image Kevin Rowland and Dexy's Midnight Runners on those steps has remained burnt like an indelible tattoo onto my brain. Iconic? They were, absolutely!

And so to my question: Mr Rowland I went to the Top Rank in Birmingham last month to see The Specials. On the night the DJ did an utterly brilliant job slowly winding up, warming up and building up the crowd; with a clinical precision. Fever pitch was finally reached when he played Geno by Dexys as the final track before The Specials took to the stage - the place was hot and mental. A question smashed through skin and skull and into my brain and i can't have been the only one. Dexys Midnight Runners where the fuck are they? 2003 is a long time passed. So Mr Rowland we need to know Dexys Midnight Runners in 2010, is there any chance?

Left -135a King Edward House New Street Birmingham - unchanged today

Right - Dexys outside "Druckers" in the Great western Arcade Birmingham I think.

Please use the power of your mind to merge the two photos together.

Got it?

Great isn't it?