John Dowie

Known for his comic sketches and poetry, Birmingham-born John Dowie has sparked laughter in the most stoic Englishman or woman. His repertoire includes such off-the-way singles as "Acne, Idiot, Hitler's Liver" and "It's Hard To Be Egg". Having made his debut, as a solo singer-songwriter, at a free, September 1969, pop festival at the Midland Arts Centre in Birmingham, Dowie became a regular performer on the city's thriving music scene. In addition to solo performances at folk clubs, universities and arts centres, he showed talent as an actor, appearing in the premier of David Edgar's musical, Blood Sports. Forming a Bonzo Dog Band-inspired group, Mr. John Dowie And The Big Girl's Blouse, Dowie recorded an 1971 EP, Another Close Shave that included his tongue-in-jowl ditty, "British Tourist (I Hate The Dutch". He subsequently collaborated with British comedienne Victoria Wood and comedy rock band, Alberto Y Los Trios Paranoias, with whom he toured three times as official" opening act. Their last outing came as supporting act for Police, in the early 1980s. After taking a hiatus from music, to recuperate from a nervous breakdown, Dowie, resumed his career as a stand-up musical comedian. In addition to releasing an extremely funny single, "It's Hard To Be An Egg", he recorded a live album, Good Grief, at the Zap Club in Brighton, and an album, Hard To Swallow, of his comedy routines. Dowie continued to develop as a thespian, as well. He starred, in the title role, of London-based theater group's production, James Bond -- The Pants, at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London and on tour. Making his directorial debut in poet/painter/playwright Heathcote Williams's 1990 show, Whale Nation & Falling For A Dolphin, he wrote and performed in Take Them To The Garden and Why I Stopped Being A Stand-Up Comedian. Beginning with his directing of Neil Innes' More Jam Tomorrow, in 1992, Dowie has collaborated with the former Bonzo Dog Band multi-instrumentalist/vocalist/songwriter. He wrote lyrics for Innes's meloodies, and starred in the PVictor Spinetti-directed musical comedy, Dogman, and directed Innes/Rutles' globally-televised comic spoof, All You Need Is Cash, in 1978. Other musical comedies that Dowie has been involved with include The Joseph Story, performed as Jesus My Boy at the Apollo Theater, and Arthur Smith Sings Leonard Cohen, which he co-wrote and directed. A poet since childhood, Dowie is the author of a children's book, Poems To Read To Your Parents. A semi-regular performer on British television and radio shows, including Now and Something Else Dowie hosted a radio series, A World Of Dowie. ~ Craig Harris, All Music Guide