Captain Sensible
b. Raymond Burns, 24 April 1954, Balham, London, England. Having drifted from job to job after leaving school, Burns fell in with fellow reprobate Chris Miller, while working at the Croydon Fairfield Halls. Sharing common interests in drink, chaos and music, they eventually found themselves part of the burgeoning punk scene in west London in 1976. Together with Dave Vanian and Brian James, Miller (Rat Scabies) and Burns (Captain Sensible) formed what was to be one of the major punk bands of the period; the Damned. Initially enrolled as their bass player, he moved on to guitar following James's departure from the group. A riotous character with an unnerving sense of charm, Sensible frequently performed at gigs dressed in various guises, often in a tu-tu, a nurse's uniform or even nothing at all. Behind the comic-strip facade lurked a keen fan of '60s and '70s psychedelia; he was often quoted in later interviews as being influenced by Jimi Hendrix and the Soft Machine. This went against the punk ethos of the time. He was able to indulge in his esoteric taste in music by carving out a solo career by accident rather than design, owing to the frequent bouts of forced inactivity by the Damned. With ex- Chelsea bassist Henry Badowski, Sensible formed King, an outfit which lasted barely three months. That same year, he recorded Jet Boy Jet Girl, a lyrically improbable translation of Plastic Bertrand's Ca Plane Pour Moi with the Softies and also performed on Johnny Moped's CYCLEDELIC. A fervent campaigner for animal rights, and a CND supporter, he confirmed his anti-establishment credentials by recording an EP on the Crass label, THIS IS YOUR CAPTAIN SPEAKING in 1981. 
With fellow Damned member Paul Gray, he produced the Dolly Mixturesingles, Been Teen and Everything And More. Signed by A&M as a solo act, he recorded a cover version of Richard Rodgers/ Oscar Hammerstein II's Happy Talk which included Dolly Mixture on backing vocals. The single shot to the UK number 1 position in the summer of 1982. With his distinctive red beret and round shades, he become an instant media and family favourite, revealing an endearing fondness for rabbits, cricket and trains. He subsequently released two albums in close collaboration with lyricist Robyn Hitchcock, and had further hit singles with Wot and Glad It's All Over. Although he was keen not to let his solo success interfere with the Damned's activities, Sensible found himself gradually becoming isolated from the group due to internal politics and managerial disputes, resulting in his leaving the band in 1984, although he occasionally dropped in to guest on live performances. 
One single in 1985 in partnership with girlfriend Rachel Bor of Dolly Mixture, billed as Captain Sensible & The Missus, Wot, No Meat?, emphasized his commitment to vegetarianism. He undertook one national tour in 1985, as well as studio work which culminated in the formation of his own Deltic label. His 1991 album REVOLUTION NOW received less favourable reviews. The double set did, however, show that his talent for catchy pop had not deserted him. He reunited with Paul Gray for some live performances in 1991.