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The Celtic Soul Brother

Johnnie chats to Kevin Rowland of Dexys Midnight Runners, and celebrates classic British Grand Prix races from the '70s.

Johnnie chats to Kevin Rowland of Dexys Midnight Runners and celebrates classic British Grand Prix races from the 70s.

Dexys Midnight Runners are best known for their hit 80s singles Come on Eileen, Geno and The Celtic Soul Brothers. Frontman Kevin Rowland catches up with Johnnie to remember the decade when he formed the band and the influences that led to the unique blend of pop, soul and rock that became the band's calling card.

Hailing from Wolverhampton and born to Irish parents in 1953, Rowland was influenced by Roxy Music from an early age, and formed the punk rock band The Killjoys in 1976. Feeling alienated by the punk scene, he decided to form Dexys in 1978, and released their first single Dance Stance in 1979.

After reforming as Dexys in 2003, the band released One Day I'm Going To Soar in June, their first studio album in twenty-seven years. Kevin and the band will be touring the album in September.

Also on the show, Johnnie celebrates the British Grand Prix ahead of this year's race on 8 July. He plays some classic driving songs from the decade in anticipation of the event, which was dominated by racing legends such as James Hunt, Jackie Stewart and Niki Lauda in the 70s. He also plays some archive audio and commentary from the biggest race in the British calendar.

1 hour, 56 minutes

Last on

Sun 1 Jul 2012 15:00

Music Played

  • Hour 1

    • Status Quo

      Rockin' All Over The World

      • Whatever You Want - V.Best Of Status.
      • Polygram Tv.
  • Blondie

    Dreaming

    • Atomic: The Very Best Of Blondie.
    • EMI.
  • Cliff Richard

    Power To All Our Friends

    • Cliff Richard - 40 Golden Greats.
    • EMI.
  • KC and the Sunshine Band

    Get Down Tonight

    • Billboard Top Hits 1975.
    • Rhino.
  • Featured Event: The British Grand Prix in the seventies

    • Meat Loaf

      Bat Out Of Hell

      • The All Time Greatest Rock Songs ....
      • Columbia.
  • Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

    American Girl

    • Greatest Hits.
    • MCA.
  • Bruce Springsteen

    Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out

    • Born To Run.
    • CBS.
  • Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

    The Tears Of A Clown

    • Motown: The Ultimate Hits Collection (Various Artists).
    • Motown.
  • Elvis Presley

    Suspicious Minds

    • (CD Single).
    • RCA.
  • Ian Hunter

    Once Bitten, Twice Shy

    • (CD Single).
    • Columbia.
    • 4.
  • The Clash

    London Calling

    • Billy Elliot O.S.T. - Various Artists.
    • Polydor.
  • Featured Event: The British Grand Prix in the seventies

    • George Harrison

      Faster

  • Hour 2

    • Slade

      Coz I Luv You

      • The Greatest Hits Of 1971 (Various).
      • Premier.
  • Golden Earring

    Radar Love

    • Hot Love - Sounds Of The 70's, Part 1.
    • Old Gold.
  • Eagles

    Life In The Fast Lane

    • The Best Of Eagles.
    • Asylum.
  • In conversation with Kevin Rowland

    • Deaf School

      Hi Jo Hi

  • Sex Pistols

    Anarchy In The UK

  • Van Morrison

    Into The Mystic

  • Jonathan Richman

    Roadrunner (Once)

    • Jonathan Richman: The Beserkley Years.
    • Rhino.
  • Tom Robinson Band

    Grey Cortina

  • Simon & Garfunkel

    Baby Driver

    • Top Of The Morning With Terry Wogan.
    • Sony Music TV.
  • Eagles

    Desperado

    • The Best Of Eagles.
    • Asylum.
  • Fleetwood Mac

    The Chain

    • 50 Years - Don't Stop.
    • Warner Bros.
    • 010.

Broadcast

  • Sun 1 Jul 2012 15:00