Dexys

When Dexy's Midnight Runners was at their peak in the early '80s, U.K. critics hailed their lead singer/songwriter Kevin Rowland as a genius, capable of fusing soul, pop, Irish folk, new wave, and rock into one seamless, unique mix with scores of horns.

After their debut album's release, most of the band left, leaving Rowland to refashion Dexy's Midnight Runners. What he came up with was a departure from the debut, although they shared the same spirit. Instead of soul, the band was rooted in folk and Celtic music on their second album, "Too-Rye-Ay", which produced the enormous international hit, "Come on Eileen." 

The group disbanded shortly after its follow-up and Rowland mounted a checkered solo career, while also dealing with depression, bankruptcy and cocaine addiction. After getting his life back on track, he returned with a new edition of Dexys Midnight Runners, sporting the stripped down name Dexys, in 2003, which included former bandmates Mick Talbot and Pete Williams along with viola player Lucy Morgan, and another former member, "Big" Jim Paterson.