Norman Watt-Roy, bass player with Ian Dury and The Blockheads, is heading for Swindon as part of his Faith and Grace tour.

Norman has been a stalwart of the music industry since 1967, yet this year sees the release of his first solo album.

The second track on the album is a recording of Ian Dury introducing Norman at the last show they did at the London Palladium .

He will be playing songs from the CD including Ian Dury’s Billericay Dickie at The Vic in Old Town on Thursday, November 14 from 8pm.

Not only a Blockhead for many years, Norman has played with some of the top names in the business on hit singles such as The Magnificent Seven by The Clash and the controversial Relax by Frankie Goes To Hollywood.

It was the band Glencoe that first introduced Norman to musicians who would become fellow Blockheads and life long friends.

They were Mick Gallagher, John Turnbull and Charlie Charles and together they formed the nucleus of the rock punk band that was to shake the world with hits such as What A Waste and Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick, which went to number one in the UK charts in 1979.

Wilko Johnson stood in for Chaz Jankel in the Blockheads and the two musicians gelled.

Norman still plays bass in Wilko’s own band and when Norman comes to Swindon Wilko will also be strutting his stuff.

Norman’s own outfit includes fellow Blockhead Gilad Atzmon on sax, Mike Outram on guitar, Frank Harrison on keys and Asaf Sirkis on drums.

Tickets to see Norman and Wilko are £12 in advance and £15 on the door from 01793 535713.

– Flicky Harrison