Kevin Rowland, a renowned musician, was the front person of the band Dexys, formerly known as Dexys Midnight Runners. Born in 1953, Rowland spent his early years in Wolverhampton, Ireland, and Harrow in north London. After a brief stint as a hairdresser, Rowland formed Dexys Midnight Runners in 1978 and impressed audiences with their unconventional style and songwriting. The band achieved great success with two No. 1 hits – “Geno” in 1980 and “Come on Eileen” in 1982. In addition to his two solo releases, Rowland and the band have released five albums, the latest being “The Feminine Divine” on July 28th, 2023.
In 1982, Dexys adopted a unique fashion style by wearing dungarees. However, by early 1983, Rowland grew tired of them and decided to modify his look. He would undo the top part of the dungarees, pull them down, and add a belt to transform them into high-waisted trousers. Additionally, he had a penchant for altering his clothes, cutting them up to suit his taste. His hair also underwent a transformation as he started experimenting with dreadlocks, inspired by a person he had met.
During this period, Rowland had a busy schedule with numerous photoshoots and promotional activities for “Come on Eileen”. Although he enjoyed being a part of Dexys, performing live shows brought immense pressure and anxiety. Rowland, unable to relax on stage, would constantly worry about what the audience was thinking. Calming techniques never crossed his mind, and it wasn’t until later in life that he learned to regulate his nervous system and combat anxiety.
Rowland’s upbringing was influenced by strong male figures. His father and his friends were manual laborers who upheld traditional notions of masculinity, leaving no room for expressions of femininity. However, Rowland found an outlet for his self-expression through dancing, particularly reggae dancing, and his interest in hair. He would often style his father’s hair from a young age, suggesting different looks and grooming options, which his father tolerated.
As a teenager, Rowland rebelled against the mainstream fashion trends popular in the West End during the swinging 60s. Instead, he embraced a conservative yet subversive style with short, parallel trousers, Ivy League shoes, and even a trilby hat. His friends would seek his advice on fashion choices, although one of them playfully called him “Mary Quant,” a nickname that highlighted his unique fashion sense.
It’s astonishing to admit that Rowland didn’t make an effort to understand women until he discovered Tao, an ancient Chinese philosophy and religion. This transformative journey began after a trip to Thailand, where he experienced burnout after Dexys’ 2016 album and the loss of his mother. He initially contemplated giving up music altogether and pursuing a career in fashion design due to exhaustion. However, his encounter with Tao opened his mind to connecting with his body and embracing his feminine energy. Rowland realized that everyone possesses both masculine and feminine energies, and he had suppressed this concept for a long time. Through Tao, he learned to appreciate women as powerful beings and acknowledged his lack of understanding of them until then.
In contrast to the person captured in the original photo, Rowland has become more honest, self-aware, and considerate of others. He no longer lives in ignorance and has shed the negative aspects of his obsessive and controlling nature. However, he still battles with nervousness and obsessive thoughts, especially when it comes to future events. Rowland acknowledges that he is not in control and must trust that things will unfold as they should.
As for online commentators, Rowland has developed a thick skin and takes criticism less personally. He dismisses negative remarks and indulges in the amusement of watching those individuals get riled up. Rowland knows that his intention is not to be different for the sake of it and embraces his unique identity without seeking validation from others.
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