He has two brothers and two sisters. His parents emigrated from
Crossmolina, County Mayo, Ireland in the early 1950s
Before achieving fame in Dexys Midnight Runners, he was a member of an art-rock band called Lucy And The Lovers, who were heavily influenced by Deaf School. The band turned into a punk rock outfit called The Killjoys.
Kevin Rowland was (and is) the effective leader and singer for the popular '80s band Dexys Midnight Runners.