The Blow Monkeys
Led by the politically opinionated Dr Robert (b. Bruce Robert Howard, 2 May 1961, Norfolk, England; guitar), the Blow Monkeys took their name from Australian slang for Aboriginal didgeridoo players, something Robert picked up while living in Australia as a teenager. The nickname Doctor was pinned on him at boarding school because he was seen as a sympathetic listener. Before the Blow Monkeys began in the early 80s, he also had a spell at Norwich City Football Club, and dabbled in pop journalism. The other constituent elements of the band were Tony Kiley (b. 16 February 1962; drums), Neville Henry (saxophone) and Mick Anker (b. 2 July 1957; bass). They started recording for RCA Records in 1984 but singles such as "Man From Russia", "Atomic Lullaby" and "Forbidden Fruit" made no headway in the charts. The band finally broke through in 1986 with the jazz-tinged "Digging Your Scene", one of the earliest songs about AIDS. The following January they had their biggest hit with "It Doesn't Have To Be This Way". Come May, this strongly socialist and vehemently anti-Thatcher band found their latest single, "(Celebrate) The Day After You", banned from the airwaves by the BBC until the General Election was over. The record also featured the voice of Curtis Mayfield.
Listen to The Blow Monkeys
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Albums
- (2007) Very Best Of
- (1986) Animal Magic
Top Tracks
- Digging Your Scene
- You Don't Own Me
- It's Not Unusual
- Resurrection
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