The former Dexys Midnight Runners singer on dealing with stage anxiety, his subversive style and seeing women as goddesses
Kevin Rowland is a solo musician and front person of the band Dexys, formerly Dexys Midnight Runners. Born in 1953, Rowland spent his childhood in Wolverhampton, Ireland and Harrow in north London, where he lived from the age of 11. After a short career as a hairdresser, in 1978 Rowland formed Dexys Midnight Runners – a group that defied expectations with their unconventional style and songwriting, and went on to score two beloved No 1 hits: 1980’s Geno and 1982’s Come on Eileen. As well as Rowland’s two solo releases, the band have made five albums, the latest of which, The Feminine Divine, is out on 28 July.
Dexys started to wear dungarees in 1982 and I was bored of them by early 83. Instead I’d undo the top bit and pull it down, and put a belt on so they’d look like a pair of high-waisted trousers. I can’t remember why I cut the top off the Converse in this picture, but I cut a lot of my clothes up. Also, my hair! A guy I’d met told me how to get dreads, so it was just starting to go a little bit dread-y.
