The Blow Monkeys

Turning their noses up at the pomp and flouncy drama of the new romantics, The Blow Monkeys were part of an early 1980s scene that filled Britain's suave wine bars with arty, soulful, sophisticated pop. Full of saxophone solos and smoochy lyrics, the band – formed in 1981 in London, England - was led by singer-songwriter Dr. Robert (Robert Howard). They released their first single in 1982 and first started attracting the attention of the general public with the 1984 release of their debut album, Limping for a Generation (1984). The group became a commercial sensation in 1986 with the release of their album Animal Magic and the single “Digging Your Scene,” which was a song that confronted the controversial topic of AIDS and its effect on the gay community. The album and single also fared well in the US. The Blow Monkeys’ biggest hit in the UK was 1987’s “It Doesn't Have To Be This Way,” which hit number 5. The song was taken from their hit album She Was Only a Grocer’s Daughter, which also included the single “(Celebrate) The Day After You,” which featured Curtis Mayfield. The Blow Monkeys’ next two albums – Whoops! There Goes the Neighborhood (1989) and Springtime for the World (1990) – were not as commercially successful and the band decided to call it a day. Dr. Robert pursued a solo career and worked with artists such as Paul Weller and Beth Orton. After a 17 year break, the original members of The Blow Monkeys reunited – including Dr. Robert – and released a series of albums that were not as commercial successful as their ‘80s recordings but received more critical acclaim. Their later albums include Devil’s Tavern (2008) Staring at the Sea (2011), Feels Like a New Morning (2013), If Not Now, When? (2015), The Wild River (2017), Journey to You (2021), and Together/Alone (2024).