Chaz Jankel

Keyboardist Chas Jankel was a member of Ian Dury & the Blockheads during the British funk/new wave band's commercial peak (the late '70s). First hooking up with Dury as part of the pub group Kilburn & the High Roads in the early part of the '70s, Jankel was asked by Dury to join his new outfit, and appeared on such Blockheads releases as 1977's New Boots & Panties!! (which spawned Dury's best-known hit, "Sex & Drugs & Rock n' Roll") and 1979's Do It Yourself, before leaving the group. But in 1981, Jankel teamed up once more with Dury (sans the Blockheads) for the release Lord Upminster, which spawned the U.S. Top 40 dance hit "Spasticus Autisticus." But by this time, Jankel had become more interested in pursuing a solo career, and he issued several releases for A&M from the early to mid-'80s: 1980's self-titled debut, 1981's Chasanova and Questionaire (the latter of which contained the U.S. dance hit "Glad to Know You," a collaboration with Dury), 1983's Chazablanca, and 1985's Looking at You. But after the flurry of recording activity, little was heard from Jankel again. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide