Fireside Chat

Chaz Jankel

Tirk Records, London

Having joined the last incarnation of a pub band called Kilburn and the High Roads, Chaz became a founding member of The Blockheads when he started writing songs with the lead singer Ian Dury. Chaz co-wrote all the hits - both underground and top 10 - and also lent his hand in the production of many of the classic Blockheads recordings. He went on to release five solo albums through-out the 80s whilst also penning hits for artists like Quincy Jones. The spare, post-disco sound of Chaz's solo work from this period has found renewed interest in recent years culminating in a compilation of his music being released on Tirk recordings. We caught up with Chaz in his North London home studio and talked about the past and the present and this Fireside Chat takes you through from his first meeting Ian to the present day. Glad to know you!