Kevin Rowland has always been quick to acknowledge the influence that other artists have had on his music. In Dexys' early live shows, Kevin would often name-check other artists in the introductions to their songs: "...and here comes another, yet typically arrogant Dexys statement: Geno Washington was the greatest soul singer that ever lived"
"If you STILL haven't heard about Zoot Money, consider this an education."
The material covered in Dexys' early live shows and records came from a wide range of 60s Soul artists such as Sam & Dave, Otis Redding, The Bar-Kays, Cliff Nobles & Co., Chuck Wood and Johnny Johnson & The Bandwagon.
By 1982, Van Morrison's influence was clearly audible in the Celtic Soul of "Too-Rye-Ay", underlined by Kevin Rowland's decision to cover "Jackie Wilson Said (I'm In Heaven When You Smile"). When asked in an interview around this time who his musical influences were, Kevin replied that he didn't listen to a lot of music but he did like older artists such as Ray Charles or Nina Simone.
Prior to recording "Don't Stand Me Down" in 1984, Kevin Rowland has stated "We played the musicians 'Blonde On Blonde' and 'Highway 61 Revisited'. We'd bought those albums and a couple of Beach Boys LPs. We wanted that feel."
However, when asked by Q magazine in 2001 to name his musical hero he chose Bryan Ferry:
In December 2003, when asked to select ten of his all-time favourite tracks for Ken Bruce's "Tracks of My Years" on BBC Radio 2, he chose the following songs:
Let's Get It On Marvin Gaye; God Only Knows Beach Boys; Madame George Van Morrison; Into The Mystic Van Morrison; Beauty Queen Roxy Music; Just Like You Roxy Music; Sad Eyed Lady Of The Lowlands Bob Dylan; Once Upon A Time In America Ennio Morricone; Can't Help Falling In Love Elvis Presley; Wooly Bully Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs.
When complete, this section will contain features on the any artists who have had an influence on Kevin Rowland & Dexys Midnight Runners, including Van Morrison, Bryan Ferry, Geno Washington (below) and Zoot Money. Forward to "Van Morrison"
