London Cowboys

Following the detonation of The Idols that had featured Barry Jones, Steve Dior, Jerry Nolan and Walter Lure the first incarnation of London Cowboys was in 1981.

Steve together with the Sex Pistol Glen Matlock and singer Russell King, issued a couple of singles in France. But when it came to an album, Steve fell out with King and brought back Jones and Nolan who both had returned to the UK, taking over vocals himself. 

The band continued for many years with Dior & Jones as the nucleus, with the Matlock/Nolan rhythm section substituted according to availability. Amongst others these included punk luminaries Tony James (Generation X), Pete Farndon (Pretenders), Terry Chimes (The Clash, Generation X) filled those positions. Also adding contributions were Mike Monroe (Hanoi Rocks) on saxophone and Rikki Sylvan (Rikki & The Last Days Of Earth).

Albums such as ‘Animal Pleasure’, ‘Tall In The Saddle’ and ‘On Stage’ on Skydog, featuring their chugga chugga catchy sleazy rock n roll based songs, gave them good success throughout Europe. and gigged regularly in the UK, Europe & Japan.

Later in the 80’s, the Cowboys’ brand of rock ’n’roll found favour with major record company executives as bands such as Guns & Roses and Billy Idol had proved their dollar worth. By the mid-80’s they’d decamped to LA and were signed by MCA, but corporate takeovers thwarted any releases and the label’s big plans never materialised.  Then they started working with Chrysalis, until the EMI takeover ended that relationship. 

In mid ’86 Jerry Nolan, Barry Jones and Glen Matlock teamed up together with Johnny Thunders, for a tour of the world through to 1987.  Johnny had guested on an unreleased Cowboys session; after he died Steve teamed up with Sylvain for a tribute song.  Steve & Barry must be the only musicians who’ve played with both four band members of the New York Dolls and four members of the Sex Pistols!

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Thanks to Jungle for the use of the excellent piccies! – October 08

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