Dexys Hit #1 with "Geno"

Dexys Midnight Runners : Geno

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On April 27, 1980 Dexys Midnight Runners topped the UK charts with "Geno", a tribute to Geno Washington, "the greatest soul singer in the world," according to Dexys leader Kevin Rowland.

Rowland defended Geno's talent with as much vigour as The Osmonds defended Marie's virginity. It transpires that in 1968, when only 11, not only was Geno Washington the first live act he ever saw- his older brother took him along to a gig - but when the idea of Dexys Midnight Runner was first conceived in January of 1978, Rowland turned to the recorded output of the flamboyant soulster. "I was totally fed up with everything else at that time and so I started listening to all of Geno's old records and any other soul single I could pick up for 10p around the markets." 

The song would briefly coax Washington out of retirement.