Davey Payne

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Davey Payne is an English saxophonist best known as a member of Ian Dury's backing band The Blockheads, and his twin saxophone solo on their 1978 UK #1 single "Hit Me with your Rhythm Stick". He also appeared on the first version of Nico's album Drama of Exile.

According to Pete Frame's Rock Family Trees, Payne grew up in Clacton, UK, and started playing the clarinet because of his enjoyment of Dixieland jazz. On hearing swing, bebop and Dexter Gordon in the 1960s he moved to London, and began taking lessons and going to jazz clubs. He also took up the soprano saxophone, and began playing in mixed media events. He was drawn into The People Band, and moved with them to Holland.
He met Ian Dury when he visited London in late 1970 - "He thought I was a junkie, I thought he was an idiot" - and returned to Holland. After the People Band played a gig in London with Kilburn and the High Roads in 1971, he was coerced into joining them for a jam at their home, and ended up staying with the band until it broke up in June 1975. He thereafter returned to Clacton; he played 2 gigs with Ronnie Lane, and a few with The Fabulous Poodles. In the meantime Ian Dury managed to launch a solo career, and Payne contributed to a few songs on Dury's first album, New Boots and Panties!!, in 1977. Payne however joined Wreckless Eric's band.
After the completion of his album and its success, Dury allegedly badgered Payne into rejoining his band, now called the Blockheads, full-time; Payne did, and is credited as a co-composer of numerous songs in their catalogue. He left the band in August 1998.