Kevin Rowland: Beyond Come On Eileen

Kevin Rowland: Beyond Come On Eileen

From a shifting childhood split between Wolverhampton, rural Ireland and London, to fronting one of the most distinctive and uncompromising bands of the 1980s, Kevin Rowland’s life has been defined by defiance, vision and resilience. In this in-depth conversation with James O’Brien, the Dexys Midnight Runners frontman reflects on the lasting impact of a father’s harsh words, the struggle to find his place in the world, and the burning drive to prove himself through music and style.

Rowland speaks candidly about the creation and evolution of Dexys- from their soulful beginnings and fiercely protected aesthetic, to the extraordinary success of Come On Eileen and the pressures that came with it. He recalls the relentless control he exerted to protect his artistic vision, the personal cost of that intensity, and the creative compromises he would later come to regret.

The conversation also explores his battle with addiction, the turning point that led to his recovery in 1993, and the revelations that followed as he began to confront the past he had long avoided. Now, with three decades of sobriety behind him, Kevin talks about continuing music on his own terms, embracing new ideas, and learning to be kinder to himself.

Honest, unflinching and unexpectedly uplifting, this episode offers a rare glimpse into the man behind Dexys, the making of a global hit, and the life that came after.

Find out more about Kevin Rowland’s memoir Bless Me Father here

Avsnitt(319)

David Lammy: I’ve had imposter syndrome my whole life- until now

David Lammy: I’ve had imposter syndrome my whole life- until now

From a working-class childhood in Tottenham to the Cabinet table, David Lammy’s path to becoming Foreign Secretary was anything but straightforward. Raised by a single mother after his father disappea...

25 Juli 202554min

Grace Dent: Almost Everything I’ve Done, I’ve Been Told No First

Grace Dent: Almost Everything I’ve Done, I’ve Been Told No First

Before she was a MasterChef judge and one of Britain’s most distinctive food writers, Grace Dent was a Carlisle kid eating crispy pancakes and dreaming of life beyond beige dinners. In this episode of...

18 Juli 20251h 2min

Graham Fellows: Playing John Shuttleworth Came at a Cost

Graham Fellows: Playing John Shuttleworth Came at a Cost

Before he became known as the quirky, banana-snacking John Shuttleworth, Graham Fellows was a kid from Sheffield with dreams of classical acting and a knack for writing unforgettable songs. In this ep...

11 Juli 202559min

Jon Culshaw: The Impressionist Who Fooled the Prime Minister

Jon Culshaw: The Impressionist Who Fooled the Prime Minister

Long before Dead Ringers or Spitting Image, Jon Culshaw was a schoolboy with a knack for mimicry and a fierce determination to escape into voices- finding freedom, fun, and a future through the radio ...

4 Juli 20251h

Michael Lewis: America Is Run by Bullies

Michael Lewis: America Is Run by Bullies

Before The Big Short, Moneyball or The Blind Side became bestsellers (and Hollywood hits), Michael Lewis was just trying to make sense of a world where things didn’t add up- from Wall Street to the go...

27 Juni 20251h 1min

Amber Rudd: I resigned because I couldn’t defend the indefensible

Amber Rudd: I resigned because I couldn’t defend the indefensible

Former Home Secretary who chose principle over position, Amber Rudd has spent much of her life at the centre of power. From banking to frontbench politics, her career has spanned the high-stakes world...

20 Juni 202559min

Jameela Jamil: Getting hit by that car changed everything

Jameela Jamil: Getting hit by that car changed everything

Actor, activist, and unapologetic truth-teller, Jameela Jamil has lived many lives and survived every single one of them with grit, wit, and an unwavering sense of justice.In this episode of Full Disc...

13 Juni 20251h 1min

Larry Lamb: Damaged people are dangerous because they know they can survive

Larry Lamb: Damaged people are dangerous because they know they can survive

Known to millions as Mick Shipman in Gavin & Stacey and Archie Mitchell in EastEnders, Larry Lamb has lived a life far more complex than any character he’s played. From a fractured childhood in postwa...

6 Juni 20251h 3min

Populärt inom Samhälle & Kultur

en-mork-historia
podme-dokumentar
gynning-berg
p3-dokumentar
aftonbladet-krim
mardromsgasten
nemo-moter-en-van
skaringer-nessvold
badfluence
killradet
creepypodden-med-jack-werner
spar
kod-katastrof
flashback-forever
hor-har
vad-blir-det-for-mord
aftonbladet-daily
rattsfallen
historiska-brott
varvet