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Arts feature

'Cocaine addiction is time-consuming': the rise and fall of Kevin Rowland and Dexys

Michael Hann talks to Kevin Rowland about Dexys, insecurity and the cocaine years

8 August 2020

9:00 AM

8 August 2020

9:00 AM

When Dexys Midnight Runners reached No. 1 in the singles charts in spring 1980 with the song ‘Geno’, the band had to travel to London for their coronation appearance on Top of the Pops. For the first time they could afford the train fare. But Kevin Rowland — their singer, leader, creative director, boss, whatever you want to call him — insisted they continue to jump the barriers at Birmingham New Street.

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