Norman Watt-Roy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Norman Watt-Roy |
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Watt-Roy performing at The Water Rats, 2011
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Norman Joseph Watt-Roy |
| Born | 15 February 1951 Bombay, India |
| Origin | Harlow, Essex, England |
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| Years active | 1967–present |
| Labels | Stiff |
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Norman Joseph Watt-Roy (born 15 February 1951) is an English musician, arranger, and composer. He is best known as the bass player for Ian Dury and the Blockheads.
Norman Watt-Roy's music career has lasted over 40 years. He became well-known in the late 1970s during the punk and new wave music era. Before joining The Blockheads, he was a member of the Greatest Show on Earth. Besides his work with The Blockheads, Watt-Roy has played for many other artists and released his own solo album.
Contents
Early Life and Music Beginnings
Norman Joseph Watt-Roy was born on 15 February 1951, in Bombay, India. His family, who had roots in both England and India, moved to England in November 1954. They first lived in Highbury, North London.
When Norman was 8, his family moved to Harlow, Essex. He learned a few guitar chords from his father. He played in high school bands with his older brother, Garth, who started playing lead guitar in 1961. Norman left high school at 15 and studied art for a short time at Harlow Technical College before moving back to London.
Early Bands and Success
In early 1967, Norman Watt-Roy formed a band called the Living Daylights with his brother Garth. They released a song called "Let's Live for Today" and played often in places like the Angel Blues Rooms in Edmonton, London.
In 1968, Norman and Garth formed a nine-person soul band. They toured U.S. military bases in Germany, playing with American soul singers. They also played for a summer at the Maddocks Club in Spain.
The Greatest Show on Earth
This band later became known as the Greatest Show on Earth. By 1969, they got a deal to make music with Harvest. In February 1970, they released the song "Real Cool World," which was a big hit in Europe. It even reached number one in Switzerland. The band released two albums, Horizons and The Going's Easy, both in 1970.
Joining Forces with Ian Dury
In 1972, Watt-Roy joined a band called Glencoe. There, he met guitarist John Turnbull. This group released two albums and played on four John Peel radio shows.
In 1974, Watt-Roy, Turnbull, and keyboardist Mick Gallagher formed the main part of a new band. With drummer Charlie Charles, they became Loving Awareness. In 1976, while recording with Charles, they met Ian Dury and Chaz Jankel. .....
Ian Dury and The Blockheads
The Loving Awareness band members soon joined Ian Dury and Chaz Jankel for a tour. They became known as Ian Dury and the Blockheads. Managed by the original managers of Pink Floyd, Ian Dury and the Blockheads quickly became one of the best live bands in new wave music.
They released more albums and several songs. In 1979, they had a UK number one hit with "Hit Me with Your Rhythm Stick". In 1980, Wilko Johnson joined the band for a while, and Watt-Roy formed a good connection with him. This led to Watt-Roy becoming a regular member of Johnson's own band by 1985.
Other Music Projects
During the 1970s and 1980s, Norman Watt-Roy played bass for many other artists. He appeared on albums by Nick Lowe and Rachel Sweet. He also played on Jona Lewie's song "You'll Always Find Me in the Kitchen at Parties".
He played on the Selecter's 1981 album Celebrate the Bullet. Watt-Roy also played bass on the Clash's Sandinista! album, including songs like "The Magnificent Seven" and "Hitsville UK". .....
In 1983, Watt-Roy played bass for the Frankie Goes to Hollywood song "Relax". In 1984, he played bass on all the songs for the Who's Roger Daltrey's solo album, Parting Should Be Painless. The music video for the song "Walking in My Sleep" featured both Watt-Roy and Ian Dury.
In 2001, Watt-Roy recorded with members of Madness and sometimes played live with them. He also worked with the former producer of Depeche Mode. Since then, he has played with Nick Cave for Cave's solo shows and continued as the bass player for Wilko Johnson.
Watt-Roy played on Viv Albertine's album The Vermillion Border in 2012. In 2013, he released his own solo album, Faith & Grace. This album featured other musicians, including former Blockheads drummer Dylan Howe.
As of 2024, Watt-Roy has been making regular appearances with the James Oliver Band.
Discography
The Greatest Show on Earth
- Horizons (1970)
- The Going's Easy (1970)
- The Greatest Show on Earth (1975)
The Blockheads
- Do It Yourself (1979)
- Laughter (1980)
- Live! Warts 'n' Audience (1990)
- The Bus Driver's Prayer and other Stories (1994)
- Mr. Love Pants (1998)
- Straight from the Desk (2001)
- Ten More Turnips from the Tip (2002)
- Where's the Party? (2004)
- 30 – Live at The Electric Ballroom (2008)
- Staring Down the Barrel (2009)
- Same Horse Different Jockey (2013)
- Beyond the Call of Dury (2017)
See also
In Spanish: Norman Watt-Roy para niños
