The sad news is that Ian Dury Britons' the disabled pop star, singer song writer, artist, writer and television presenter has just passed away because of cancer. Ian Dury caught Polio at the age of 7. As a Polio survivor he campaigned for disability rights.
His two major bands were Kilburn and the High Roads and
the Blockheads.
In 1981 [International Year of/for Disabled People (IYDP) *] there were three recording released to celebrate that year. Only one was made by a disabled artist about disability issues, Ian Durys' "Spasticus Autisticus" which was promptly banned by the BBC It was stilled banned in 1982 and my request to play it as part of a promotion for
a disability arts festival in London was turned down by BBC2s' "Round Midnight" program although they were played other recording he had made on nondisability issues.
Ian Dury had a number one U.K. single: "Hit me with your rhythm stick" and his song "Sex, drugs and rock & roll" became an anthem.
I'll never forget his homage to Gene Vincent on his first album. Gene Vincent was also a Polio survivor and early rock star.
The disability community has lost a great talent.
* IYDP was originally to be "for" and was changed after pressure to be "of" disabled people.
--
Keith
http://www.egroups.com/list/disabilitystudies/info.html
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|