Captain Sensible - Definition and Overview

Captain Sensible (born Ray Burns, April 24, 1954 in London) is a singer and guitarist (and sometimes bassist) who founded the punk rock band The Damned in 1976. After leaving the band, he reinvented himself as a new-wave singer with a rebellious, self-conscious image. The Captain's solo hits included "Wot?", "Happy Talk" (a UK number one hit) and "Glad It's All Over". He later rejoined the Damned for reunion shows. His signature headwear is a red beret.

His recording of "The Snooker Song" from Mike Batt's musical The Hunting Of The Snark was used as the theme music for the BBC gameshow Big Break.

He supports Crystal Palace F.C.. His version of Happy Talk, minus his lyrics, was used as the backing track for a 2004 rap by Dizzee Rascal.

Everyone knows The Damned/Bolan/T Rex connection - But one between Captain Sensible and Bolan's original partner Steve Took? - How about two connections!

• 1) Captain Sensible gained his name from Larry Wallis, while on the Stiff Records Live Stiffs tour. Wallis was performer and in-house producer at Stiff. Wallis was also a member of the Pink Fairies a band (Mark 1) founded by Took, Twink and Mick Farren. However, Wallis was also Took's lead guitarist in Steve Took's Shagrat.

• 2) Judge Trev Thoms was also one of Took's lead guitarists in the band Steve Took's Horns. Later Captain Sensible performed with Thoms in his line-up of Inner City Unit.

External links

• Captain Sensible Discography (http://idiot-dog.com/music/captain.sensible/)