1976: 22-year-old hairdresser and singer, Kevin Rowland places an advert for musicians in the Birmingham Evening Mail . Guitarist Mark Phillips replies to the advert and together with girlfriend Gil Weston (who he teaches to play bass) they become 'Art-Rock' band, Lucy & The Lovers.

1977: Inspired by the success of acts such as The Sex Pistols and The Clash, Kevin Rowland adopts a punkier sound and image for the band (which  now includes drummer, Lee Burton and backing vocalist, Heather Tonge) renaming them The Killjoys. First studio session recorded in Cambridge: (tracks: Johnny Won't Go To Heaven; Naive; At Night; Recognition). July 15: Single, "Johnny Won't Go To Heaven"/"Naive" released. It does not chart, but gains critical acclaim.  Burton leaves the band, while guitarist Keith Rimell and drummer Bob Peach are recruited. October 18: Radio One session recorded for John Peel (tracks: Naive; Back To Front; At Night; Recognition)

1978 February 13: Radio One session recorded for John Peel (tracks: Ghislaine; Spit On Me; Smoke Your Own; All The Way) Kevin Rowland  sees guitarist Kevin Archer performing in a local band with Pete Williams and invites Archer to join The Killjoys.  Phillips, Weston and Peach leave The Killjoys and form a new band featuring Michael Billingham on keyboards. The Killjoys split shortly afterwards. July: Dexys Midnight Runners formed by Kevin Rowland and Kevin Archer. The group spend the next six months rehearsing in a disused warehouse  in  Birmingham.  There are many personnel changes and the original brass section includes a trumpet player.  December: Dexys record their first demo tapes.

1979: Dexys start performing at small venues in and around Birmingham . May: Billy Adams meets Kevin Rowland at an early Dexys gig. May 18: @ Birmingham, Imperial Hotel July 21:  @ Camden, Electric Ballroom August 8: @ Birmingham, Romulus (+ support act - Joy Division) Bernie Rhodes becomes the  group's manager and signs them to E.M.I. Records. Bobby "Junior" Ward - drummer with Subway Sect replaces John Jay. November: Dexys are invited to join The Specials and The Selector on a 'Two Tone Tour', replacing Madness who have left after signing to Stiff Records: November 15: @ Carlisle, Market Hall November 16: @ Leeds, University November 17: @ Loughborough, University November 18: @ Bristol, Locarno November 21: @ Liverpool, Mountford Hall November 22: @ Dublin, Olympic Ballroom November 23: @ Belfast, University November 25: @ London, Lyceum November 26: @ Hemel Hempstead, Pavilion November 28: @ Cleethorpes, Winter Gardens November 29: @ Coventry, Tiffanys December: Debut single, "Dance Stance" released. Andy Leek and Andy Growcott (a.k.a. 'Stoker') join Dexys replacing Pete Saunders and Bobby Jnr.  December 27: @ Camden, Electric Ballroom

1980 January 19: "Dance Stance" enters British chart.  February 9: "Dance Stance" peaks at Number 40 in British Chart. Dexys make their debut appearance on "Top of the Pops" "Geno" / "Breakin' Down The Walls of Heartache" single recorded. ("Dance Stance" remixed at same session. "Thankfully Not Living In Yorkshire It Doesn't Apply" also possibly recorded at this time) February 26: Radio 1 session recorded (Tracks: "Geno", "Breakin' Down The Walls of Heartache", "Tell Me When My Light Turns Green" and "The Horse") March 2: @ Bournemouth, Stateside Centre March 7: @ Belfast, Queen's University March 8: @ Dublin, University College March 22: "Geno" enters British chart. April: "Searching For The Young Soul Rebels" recorded.  May 3: "Geno" reaches Number 1 in British chart.  May 10: Record Mirror announces that Andy Leek has left Dexys.  May 17: Dexys reply that Leek had actually left at the end of March but waited until Geno was topping the charts before announcing his departure.  He coincidentally had a single 'out in few weeks'. June 10: @ Portsmouth, Locarno June 11: @ Canterbury, Odeon June 12 : @ Pier Pavillion, Hastings June 13: @ Brighton, Top Rank  June 14: @ Dunstable, Queensway   June 15: @ Sheffield, Top Rank June 16: @ Doncaster, Rotters June 17: @ Coventry, Tiffanys June 18: @ Norwich, University of East Anglia June 20: @ Penzance, Dermelzas   June 21: @ Exeter, University June 22: @ Bristol, Locarno June 23: @ Swindon, Brunel Rooms June 24: @ Reading, University June 25: @ Loughborough, University June 26: @ Newcastle, Mayfair June 27: @ Ayr, Pavilion June 29: @ Glasgow, Tiffanys June 30: @ Edinburgh, Tiffanys July: Several planned tour dates, including Wigan Casino and Guildford Civic are replaced with dates at venues better-suited to Dexys' shows. July 2: @ London, Hornsey Town Hall July 3: @ Blackburn, King George's Hall July 4: @ Stoke, King's Hall July 5: @ Bradford, King George's Hall July 7: @ Merthyr Tydfil, Tythe Ballroom July 8: @ Swansea, Top Rank July 9: @ Derby, Assembly Rooms July 10: @ Cleethorpes, Winter Gardens July 11: @ Manchester, New Century Hall July 12: "There There My Dear" enters British chart. July 13: @ Cardiff, Top Rank July 14: @ Stafford, Top Of The World July 15: @ Hatfield, Forum July 16: @ Liverpool, Original Club  July 17: @ Birmingham, Gay Tower Ballroom July 18: @ Birmingham, Cedar Club ("under 18's") July 19: @ Oxford, New Theatre July 20: @ Ashington, Regatta Marquee July 23: @ Galway, Seapoint July 24: @ Sligo, Baymount July 25: @ Tralee, Cyms July 26: "Searching For The Young Soul Rebels" enters British album chart. July 29: @ Dublin, Mansion House  July 30: @ Dundalk, Imperial July 31: @ Belfast, Ulster Hall August 2: "There There My Dear" peaks at Number 7 in British Chart. August 6: Dexys announce they will no longer be giving interviews and that they intend to communicate directly with their fans through essays. Dexys embark on European tour with new recruit Mick Talbot on keyboards.   September: October: "Keep It - Part Two" / "One Way Love" recorded. November 7: Dexys split. Williams, Blythe, Spooner, Talbot and Stoker leave to form The Bureau. November 13: Smash Hits announces that Seb Shelton has left Secret Affair  November 17: "Keep It - Part Two" released. December: New line-up of Midnight Runners recruited by Rowland, Archer and Paterson.  New-look  Dexys  perform "Geno" on  "Top of  the  Pops" Christmas special.

1981 January: Kevin Archer leaves Dexys to form The Blue Ox Babes. He is replaced by Billy Adams. The new line-up rehearse in a disused theatre for their planned tour, provisionally entitled "The Open Heart Revue".   "Plan B" / "Soul Finger" single recorded.  March 9: "Plan B" released (against the group's wishes). March 21: "Plan B" enters British chart, peaking at number 58. April: Dexys leave E.M.I., having discovered a loop-hole in their original contract. Without record company support they are forced to cancel most of the planned shows on their  "Projected Passion Revue" tour.  April 9: @ Birmingham, Odeon   April 13: @ Chelmsford, Odeon April 17: @ London, Dominion Theatre  May: "Radio 1 Live In Concert" recorded @ London, Paris Theatre  May 5 (9-45pm):  Dexys appear on BBC2 'alternative comedy' show "Boom Boom... Out Go The Lights" starring Rik Mayall, Nigel Planer and Alexei Sayle. They perform "Plan B" and "Soul Finger". June: Dexys sign to Phonogram June 30: @ Brounershaven, Holland  July 9: "Radio 1 Sessions" recorded (tracks: "Spiritual Passion", "Let's Make This Precious", "Your Own" and "Until I Believe In My Soul"). July 11: "Show Me" enters British chart. August : @ Nottingham - either Theatre Royal or Playhouse (press reviews quote both veues for the week 22nd August publications.) September: Giorgio Kilkenny replaces Steve Wynne on bass guitar. October: "Liars A to E" released.    November 13: @ London, Old Vic  November 14: @ London, Old Vic  November 15: @ London, Old Vic

1982 January: Violin player, Helen  Bevington  from Birmingham School of Music rehearses with Dexys as they experiment with a new "Celtic Soul" sound.   March 21:  "Celtic Soul Brothers" (featuring 'The Emerald Express') enters the British chart, peaking at number 45.  April: Big Jimmy Paterson  and Brian Maurice leave Dexys, feeling that their role in the group has diminished since the arrival of the fiddle section. Paul Speare remains with the group for another few weeks. Record Mirror states that a new Dexys album entitled "Where You Going With That Suitcase?" will be released in July. June: Brass section agree to return on a session basis to complete the album sessions and perform a one-off concert.   June 6: "Radio 1 Live in Concert" recorded @ Newcastle, Exhibition Park. June 19th: In its first week of release Come On Eileen fails to chart and is listed as 'bubbling under' the top 75 for 2 weeks running. July 3: "Come On Eileen" enters British chart at No.63. July 4: "Radio 1 session" recorded (tracks: "Jackie Wilson Said (I'm In Heaven When You Smile)"; "Let's Make This Precious"; "All In All (This One Last Wild Waltz)"; "Old")End July: "Too-Rye-Ay" released. August: Giorgio Kilkenny leaves Dexys and is replaced on bass by Johnny Edwards. August 7: "Come On Eileen" reaches number 1 in British chart just in time for Eddie-Metal's 22nd birthday celebrations. September 26: @ Glasgow, Pavilion September 27: @ Edinburgh, Usher Hall September 28: @ Newcastle, City Hall September 30: @ Manchester, Tameside Theatre October 1: @ Southport Theatre October 2: @ LLandudno, Astra Theatre; "Jackie Wilson Said (I'm In Heaven When You Smile)" enters British chart. October 3: @ Birmingham, Hippodrome  October 5: @ Coventry, Apollo  October 6: @ Cardiff, St David's Hall October 7: @ Poole, Arts Centre October 9: @ London, Shaftesbury Theatre October 10: @ London, Shaftesbury Theatre (filmed for video release) Dexys embark on an extensive European tour. Mickey Billingham leaves Dexys to join General Public.  October 27: @ Harlem, (Holland) November 13:  @ Paris, Eldorado November 19:  @ Berlin, Germany  December: Dexys perform  Slade's "Merry Christmas, Everybody" on an ITV Christmas special, "Pop Goes Christmas". December 4: "Let's Get This Straight (From The Start)"/"Old" enters British chart.

1983 February: Dexys embark on their first American tour. A concert recorded at the New York Savoy is recorded for US release. March 18: "Radio 1 Live in Concert" recorded @ Liverpool, Royal Court Theatre. April 2: "The Celtic Soul Brothers (More Please, Thank You)" enters the British charts. April 16: "Rockpalast" live TV broadcast recorded @ Essen, Germany April 23: "Come On Eileen" reaches number 1 in the American charts. May: Dexys embark on a second tour of  America to capitalise on the success of "Come On Eileen" and "Too-Rye-Ay". After this tour the group takes time out to start developing ideas for the next album.

1984 February: Vincent Crane joins Dexys after seeing an advert for a "bluesy-hard  piano player" in Melody Maker. Mick Bolton also auditions for the group which is now a nucleus of Kevin Rowland, Billy Adams, Helen O'Hara and Nicky Gatfield.  August: Original release date for new album postponed as recording continues at studios in Kensington.  September: "The Way You Look Tonight" recorded .  December: Rescheduled release date for new album postponed .

1985 January: 'Smash Hits' announces that it has heard "rough mixes" of the new Dexys album, stating that Kevin Rowland has "gone a bit Rock 'n' Roll".  August 17: A wordless, full-page advert depicting Kevin Rowland in a suit and tie appears in both Melody Maker and N.M.E. August 23: Dexys' scheduled headline appearance on  a  five-hour Channel  4 special, 'The Big Tube' is cancelled when the programme  is scrapped at the last minute due to industrial action at Tyne Tees studios. September: Kevin Rowland and Billy Adams take part in a extended interview with Richard Skinner on Radio 1, previewing several of the new album tracks.  September 13: "Don't Stand Me Down" is finally released. Dexys appear on BBC 1's "Wogan" show, performing "Listen To This"   October 1: Kevin Rowland is interviewed on  BBC 2's 'Whistle Test' by Richard Skinner. The interview is followed by a  rare broadcast of the video for "Knowledge of Beauty".     October 4: Kevin Rowland, Billy Adams and Helen O'Hara appear on Channel 4's "Bliss" for a  rather confrontational interview with Muriel Gray.  October 5: "Marguerita Time" and "Kathleen Mavourneen" recorded. October 11: Dexys perform "Listen To This" and "Kathleen Mavourneen" on  Channel 4's 'The Tube'.  October 22: @ Rennes, Maison De La Culture  October 23: @ Nantes, Le Paris  October 25: @ Paris, Eldorado October 26: @ Paris, Eldorado October 27: @ Paris, Eldorado November 1: @ Edinburgh, Playhouse November 2: @ Newcastle, City Hall November 3: @ Manchester Apollo November 4: @ Nottingham, Royal Concert Hall November 7: @ Southampton, Beaumont November 8: @ Brighton, Centre; "(An Extract From) This Is What She's Like" is released as a single.  November 9: @ Bristol, Colston Hall November 11: @ London, Dominion Theatre November 12: @ London, Dominion Theatre November 13: @ London, Dominion Theatre   December: "This Is What She's Like" rerecorded for proposed single release.

1986 March 18: "Because Of You" recorded. Dexys provide the theme tune and incidental music for a new BBC comedy called  "Brush Strokes". November 22: "Because of You (The Theme from Brush Strokes)"  enters the British charts.

1988 February 20: N.M.E. reports that Kevin Rowland will return with a new solo single and album in April. May: "Walk Away" is released, reaching number 67 in the British charts. June: "The Wanderer" is released, also reaching number 67 in the British charts.  July 15: Kevin Rowland appears on Jonathan Ross' Channel 4 show, "The Last Resort", performing "The More I See You" accompanied by ex-Midnight Runners, Jimmy Paterson and Mick Bolton.  August: "Tonight" is released, reaching number 81 in the British charts. October: "Young Man" is released. It does not chart.

1990: Kevin Rowland  co-writes the song "If You Keep On" for Adam Ant's album "Manners and Physique".

1991: Kevin Rowland  and Jimmy Paterson  who are both unemployed and on the dole meet up again and discuss plans to reform Dexys. August 25: "The People" newspaper runs a cover story reporting that Kevin Rowland has discovered he has a 17 year old daughter named Althea-Jane.

1992: Kevin Rowland supplies vocals and guitar for the Shut Up And Dance track, "Autobiography of A Crackhead" Heavenly Records finance the recording of some new demos. The songs include early versions of "Manhood" and "My Life In England" together with "You're The Rose" and "You Can Get Your Own Free".

1993: Further demos are  recorded including new versions of "Manhood" and "My Life In England" together with "If I Ever", "She's Got A Giggle That Melts My Heart" and "Coming Home". March: A Dexys line-up featuring Kevin Rowland, Jimmy Paterson and Billy Adams perform "Manhood" and "If I Ever" on Jonathan Ross' Channel 4 show, "Saturday Zoo."  The return is accompanied by interviews in the music press detailing Dexys' plans for a new album and tour. August: Q Magazine runs a four page feature on Dexys' return. Kevin Rowland takes the opportunity to announce that the "Too-Rye-Ay" sound was actually inspired by Kevin Archer.

1994: Kevin Rowland, recovering from cocaine addiction and bankrupcy undergoes therapy. He also contemplates a career change to acting.

1995 April 15: The N.M.E. prints an article about Dexys' aborted 1993 return. May 6: Kevin Rowland sends a letter to the N.M.E. regarding their recent Dexys article which leads to a war of words between him and the paper, lasting several weeks.

1997 January: Kevin Rowland announces that he has signed to Creation and will be releasing an album entitled "My Beauty". He also uses the press release to reiterate that Kevin Archer deserved credit for inspiring Dexy's "Too-Rye-Ay" sound. January 21: The Daily Mail reports the story, implying that "Come On Eileen" was actually written by Kevin Archer.  February 1: Melody Maker prints a  statement from Kevin Rowland clarifying that it was the "Too-Rye-Ay"SOUND and not any particular songs that were inspired by Kevin  Archer.

1998: While work on  the new album progresses slowly, it emerges that Jimmy Paterson has left the project.

1999 June: A high-profile bill-board campaign and front cover feature in "Dazed & Confused" magazine launch Kevin Rowland's new 'soft and sexy' look on an unsuspecting public.    August 28: Kevin Rowland does a 15 minute set at the Reading Festival, performing "You'll Never Walk Alone", "Concrete And Clay" and "The Greatest Love Of All". His attire and the use of exotic dancers during the set provoke a hostile reaction  from some in the crowd and also from the music press. September: "Concrete And Clay" is released. It does not chart.  The Bruce Springsteen song "Thunder Road" is pulled from "My Beauty" at the eleventh hour after  permission to use different lyrics from the original version is refused. October: "My Beauty" is released. It does not chart.

2000 August: "Searching For The Young Soul Rebels (20th anniversary edition)" is released. September: Kevin Rowland and Kevin Archer are reunited for an 8-page interview in Record Collector.   The Dexys story is featured as part of a BBC documentary series, "Young Guns", including contributions from many of the original group members.

2001 March: Rumours of a possible Dexys return again resurface. It is also announced that Kevin Rowland has supplied the vocals for a forthcoming Space Raiders single, "Dreamland", described as being quite 'vaudeville' in style. The single, scheduled for a summer release, never appears. April: Kevin Rowland appears in a BBC Scotland documentary to mark the release of The Proclaimers' new album, "Persevere", declaring his appreciation of their music. August 23: Kevin Rowland appears at Filthy McNasty's pub in London as part of a promotion for Paul Gorman's book "The Look" to which Kevin has contributed his recollections on Mod fashion and culture. He reads extracts from the book and performs renditions of "This Guy's In Love With You" and "I Love You (Listen To This)".  November: Kevin Rowland appears at the Q Magazine awards ceremony, presenting Travis with their 'Best Band' award. Kevin's 'country gent' look complete with checked jacket and cap ensure that his picture appears in several news papers and celebrity magazines.

2002 A promotional tour for Paul Gorman's book "The Look" is postponed several times before being cancelled.     April: "Don't Stand Me Down (The Director's Cut)" is released.

2003 March 7: Former Midnight Runners, Pete Williams, Steve Spooner and Mick Talbott are reunited with fellow ex-Bureau members Archie Brown and Paul Taylor at a Young Bucks gig in Gateshead. Meanwhile, rumours are once again circulating that Dexys plan to reform, and that Paul Gorman is writing a Dexys biography. April: Dexys announce that they have recorded two new songs, intended for single release and will be releasing a new Greatest Hits album later in the year which will be accompanied by a tour. June: Mojo Magazine features a letter from Kevin Rowland to his fans: "I just want to say thanks to the fans of mine who have supported me through the good times and the bad for more than 20 years. I do appreciate it. Thank you."  August 8: Kevin Rowland and Pete Williams are interviewed  by Mark Goodier for BBC Radio 2. The show also features the first public airing of the new "Manhood" single and it is revealed during the interview that Mick Talbot will be part of the new Dexys line-up. August 23: Kevin Rowland and Pete Williams are interviewed  by Mark Lamarr for BBC Radio 2. September 17: The  new line-up of Midnight Runners including ex-Bureau trombonist Paul Taylor and "My Beauty" guitarist Neil Hubbard is revealed by MSN's 'Dexys Midnight Runners Group'! On the same day the band make their first public appearance when they record a performance of "Manhood" for the BBC TV show TOTP2.   September 22: New 'Best of' compilation "Let's Make This Precious" is released. September 30: Kevin Rowland is interviewed  by Danny Baker for BBC Radio London. October 4: A four-piece line-up of Midnight Runners featuring Kevin Rowland, Pete Williams, Mick Talbot and Neil Hubbard play a short set at Newcastle's Baltic Centre,broadcast live on Radio 2. They perform "My Life In England" which is announced as the new single together with unplugged style versions of "Because of You" and "Come On Eileen". October 8: The TOTP2 performance of "Manhood" is broadcast.  October 21: @ Portsmouth, Guildhall October 23: @ Wolverhampton, Civic Hall October 25: @ Leeds, Grand Theatre October 26: @ Basingstoke, The Anvil October 28: @ Bristol, Colston Hall October 29: @ Cambridge, Corn Exchange October 31: @ Guildford, Civic November 2: @ Aberdeen, Music Hall November 3: @ Glasgow, Pavilion November 4: @ Newcastle, Opera House November 6: @ Manchester, Academy November 7: @ Liverpool, Royal Court Theatre November 8: @ Northampton, Derngate November 10: @ London, Royal Festival Hall November 11: @ Mitlon Keynes, Stables November 12: @ Plymouth, Pavilions November 14: @ Coventry, Warwick Arts Centre November 15: @ Dublin, Vicar Street November 16: @ Belfast, Waterfront Hall November 18: @ Leicester, De Montford Hall November 20: @ Malmo, KB November 22: @ Oslo, Rockefeller November 23: @ Stockholm, Cirkus November 25: @ Goteborg, Tradgarn  December: Kevin Rowland selects ten of his all-time favourite tracks for BBC Radio 2 feature "Tracks Of My Tears". The selections include  two songs each by Van Morrison and Bryan Ferry.