Kevin Rowland is a UK singer and songwriter from Wednesfield, England, best known for his work in Dexys Midnight Runners. Born in 1953, he begins his career in a series of short-lived and changing bands before finding wider recognition with Dexys.

Early bands

Rowland’s first group is Lucy & The Lovers, a short-lived band influenced by Roxy Music. He then moves into punk with The Killjoys, who are slightly more successful and release the single “Johnny Won’t Go To Heaven” in 1977. He later forms Dexys Midnight Runners with Killjoys guitarist Al Archer after becoming dissatisfied with the punk scene.

Dexys Midnight Runners

Dexys Midnight Runners develop into a soul-influenced group and become Rowland’s main project. The band is associated with blue-eyed soul, pop rock, rock and soul, alongside pop and glam pop. Rowland remains closely identified with the group, and it is listed among his members alongside The Killjoys.

Solo work and later activity

After Dexys disband in 1987, Rowland records a solo album, The Wanderer, along with three singles, but the release does not sell well. He does not release another album until 1999, when he issues My Beauty, a collection of interpretations of classic songs. The album cover shows Rowland heavily made up and wearing a dress, and the record is also described as a commercial and artistic failure.

In 2003, Rowland reforms Dexys Midnight Runners and tours with a greatest hits album that includes two newly recorded songs, “Manhood” and “My Life in England”. These tracks are presented as new singles and receive national radio airplay, although they are not commercially released. He also appears as a DJ at the 2007 Big Chill festival and runs a MySpace page where he posts blogs and shares the song “It’s OK Johanna”.