
Tenpole Tudor returned in 1980 and signed a contract with Stiff Records with whom they released the single "Three Bells in a Row".
The band released their debut album, Eddie, Old Bob, Dick and Gary, in 1981. It sold well, and in addition to the popular "Three Bells in a Row", launched two additional hit singles "Wunderbar" and "Swords of a Thousand Men". In the same year, the group released their second album, Let the Four Winds Blow, which also performed well. They also distinguished themselves with their oddball live performances, which had band members often dressing in medieval garb and Tudor-Pole himself in a full suit of chainmail armor.
In 1982, Tudor-Pole broke up the original Tenpole Tudor. While he led a Cajun-inspired version of Tenpole Tudor, the rest of the band became The Tudors. After the non-original incarnation of Tenpole Tudor failed, Tudor-Pole left Stiff Records and began performing in jazz and swing bands, eventually returning to acting. Tudor-Pole concentrates on acting, however he has reformed Tenpole Tudor from time to time.