Willie Dowling is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, composer and producer for his own bands, as well as for other artists and for film and television.
He wrote the songs and underscore for the return of the legendary satirical puppet show ‘Spitting Image’, and he has worked on many other TV shows and films starring luminaries such as Steve Coogan (‘Dr Terrible’s House of Horrible’, ‘I’m Not An Animal’), Rob Brydon & Julia Davis (‘Human Remains’), Maureen Lipman Steve Spiers and Ralph Brown (‘Caught In The Act’) Stephen Fry and Rik Mayall (‘Snow White, the Sequel’), Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer (‘Catterick’), Lenny Henry, Armstrong & Miller, amongst many, many others.
Willie Dowling’s new single Carry On Refusing (369 Music) is available from June 1st 2026, on all the usual digital music platforms, including Bandcamp.
As ever with Willie Dowling’s music the new single is a hybrid of influences musically. He comments:
“Carry On Refusing has a foot in the art rock genre, a wee hint of Ska – which I’ve always loved – and a nod towards Billy Joel and Elton John.”
Carry On Refusing follows in the footsteps of Dowling’s critically acclaimed album of piano-driven rock songs The Simpleton, which was released in November 2024.
Willie Dowling has spent a lot of time in his recording studio in France since touring The Simpleton album throughout 2025. He has a new album recorded, as yet untitled, which is expected to be released towards the end of the year.
Over the years Willie has fronted, written and produced albums for influential rockers The Grip, Honeycrack, Jackdaw4 and The Dowling Poole.
Willie has played studio sessions for, and toured with a wide variety of artists including Dr Hook, Midge Ure, Hot Chocolate, The Wildhearts, Quireboys, Shane McGowan, Maroon Town, Andy Taylor and numerous acts besides, usually on keyboards, guitars and vocals, along with occasional other instruments.