ChasJankel

Chas Jankel

    The stunningly handsome Chas was born on April 16, 1952 in Stanmore, North London. Taking up guitar and keyboards at an early age his vocal prowess came much later.
     In his late teens he met Ian Dury and became an intergral part of Dury's first band Kilburn's & The High Roads. His first recording was at the age of 20 appearing on "Byzantium." The group morphed into the Blockheads by the mid-1970's. Jankel contributed to Dury's first hit "Sex & Drugs & Rock "N" Roll" in 1977 by co-writing it and playing keyboards and guitar on it. The 1978 album that followed, "New Boots & Panties," gave him a platinum award for his co-writing and arranging. His first club success came the following year with 1979's "Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick" backed with "Reasons To Be Cheerful Part 3." Jankel once again did the arrangements, keyboards and guitar work on the British #-1 hit.
     By 1980 Jankel was primed for a solo career. A self produced album "Chas Jankel" was released by A&M records and spawned his first solo 12" single hit, "Ai No Corrida." Quincy Jones heard the song and was so impressed with it he included it in his 1981 release "The Dude."
     In 1981 he did double duty by recording with Ian & the Blockheads on the "Lord Upminster" album that produced the wildly successful "Spasticus Autisticus" single.
     Returning to the studio for his second album "Questionaire" in 1982 Chas had his biggest hit to date. The rare promotional-only 12" single of "Glad To Know You" shot to #-1 on the club charts in part to a fabulous remix by Disconet. The other 12" hit from the album was "3,000,000 Synths," and the title track also received major exposure.
     1983's "Chazablanca" though consistent and well produced failed to chart any hits. But 1984's "Looking At You" produced a mid-sized America hit (and #-1 in France) with "Number One."
     The next six years found Jankel touring the globe and exploring new musical terrains. 1990 found him in the role of producer and musician on Marie Laure Beraud's "Turbigo 12 12." And yet once again there would be a six year hiatus before he reunited with Dury in 1996 for "Mr. Lovepants." The single did well in Europe but failed to bring either back to the charts in the U.S. That same year Dury and Jankel received the Classic Songwriters Award form "Q" magazine.
     Following the death of his friend, Ian Dury in 2000, Jankel led an all-star tribute to record "Brand New Boots & Panties" with Paul McCartney, Robbie Williams, Sinead O'Conner and others. Also in 2001 he released his first new album in over a decade. "Out Of The Blue" was an acoustical effort with a quintet, the stunning album marked a whole new direction for Jankel who had become an avid jazz fan in the last decade.
     In 2002 Jankel reunited with the Blockheads to record "Straight From The Desk 2" an all-live album. Since Dury's demise Chas has reunited to record and tour with the Blockheads on a regular basis. 2003 saw the release of his second quartet inspired jazz album entitled "Zoom."
     Besides his pop/rock solo work and that with Dury and The Blockheads, Chas has also had his hand in film work as well. His talent can be appreciated on soundtracks starting with 1978's "An Unsuitable Job For A Woman," 1979's "Making Mr. Right," 1985's "War Party," 1986's "D.O.A.," "Killing Dad," "The Rachel Papers," "Tales From The Darkside - The Movie," "Cat From Hell" all from 1987 and 1988's "Earth Girls Are Easy" and 1990's "K2."
     Jankel, happily married father and jazz musician, still does his fair share of recording and touring. To keep tabs on Chas visit his own website and tell him that you're "Glad To Know Him!"

Visit Chas' Own Website!