R.I.P. Beaky (Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich)
Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich: Greatest Hits (1984)
John Dymond, aka Beaky, of 60s UK popgroup Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich has died at the age of 81. If you were wondering about his name (like I was), Beaky got his knick-name, “due to the size of my nose!” from their original drummer Stan Poole.
The band started in 1964, and had hits like “Hold Tight”, “Bend It” and “Zabadak”. One of their best-selling single “The Legend of Xanadu” sold over one million copies. Although their fellow British invaders, such as The Beatles found popularity in America, Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich only had minor success in America. While I can’t immediately point out the reasons why… I blame their excessively long band name as a little too much.
Dave Dee died in 2009 (aged 67), Dozy died in 2015 (aged 70), Tich died in Feb 2024 (aged 79), and now with Beaky gone… it leaves the original Mick is the only surviving band member. Incidentally, Mick II died in 2023, on his 73rd birthday. What a way to go.
In America, you might have heard the band’s song “Last Night in Soho”, which became the title of Edgar Wright’s 2021 film. I have seen the film (as I have steadily followed Wright’s work since meeting him for Shaun of the Dead in 2004), but I did not like the psychological horror film. I think it has something to do with the lead actress and the fact that I could not understand her accent.
Rest in peace, Beaky.
Read more Musicians and singers who died.
