The Chesternuts

[ash]

Other than their appearance on 6.5 special did the chesternuts make any public appearances ? I've read a couple of articles but there's no indication where or when the Jean Dorothy single was recorded and whether the band promoted it live. Guess the band didn't last long as Hank and Bruce joined the Drifters a couple of months after the single's release. Anyone able to flesh out the story beyond members and TV debut ?

[George Geddes]

Well...

In 'The Shadows by themselves', Hank writes about playing at the 2I while "still playing with the Chesternuts." He mentions a charity show at Stoke Newington in 1958 when they backed Benny Hill in the first 'live' performance of 'Gathering in the mushrooms' (which was a hit much later in 1961). That suggests that they were doing some gigs during 1958. Pete Chester played drums alongside Hank (and Jet) for the Most Brothers on the Kalin Twins tour. After the tour, Hank and Bruce went back to the Chesternuts, but when they re-joined Cliff, that presumably meant the end of the Chesternuts. Pete Chester made a few singles under his own name.

George

[ash]

Thanks George. I've got a picture of them with Benny Hill from an old NME. I wondered what the story was behind that. I didn't realise Hank also played for Mickie Most on that Kalin tour. I'll try and pick that book up.

[MickB]

Well...

In 'The Shadows by themselves', Hank writes about playing at the 2I while "still playing with the Chesternuts." He mentions a charity show at Stoke Newington in 1958 when they backed Benny Hill in the first 'live' performance of 'Gathering in the mushrooms' (which was a hit much later in 1961). That suggests that they were doing some gigs during 1958. Pete Chester played drums alongside Hank (and Jet) for the Most Brothers on the Kalin Twins tour. After the tour, Hank and Bruce went back to the Chesternuts, but when they re-joined Cliff, that presumably meant the end of the Chesternuts. Pete Chester made a few singles under his own name.

George

Hi George.
After the Chesternuts disbanded,the band reformed under the "Pete Chester Group"name.We were the resident band in a dance hall in Rotherham during 1961 and the Pete Chester Group used to be one of the regular guest bands there.The band consisted of Pete on drums,Johnny Kelly on lead,Mike Rouse rhythm,Foo Taylor bass and the one and only Chris Andrews on piano and lead vocals.
Through meeting Pete and his band,we were offerd a 3 month gig at the Moonlite Bar in Hanau,Germany Feb 1962 and Pete and the guys were resident in the City Bar round the corner.We became good friends.Chris Andrews is still going strong and resides in Dusseldorf.
Regards Mike

[GoldenStreet]

There is a link between the Five Chesternuts and the man who ultimately became known to the greater populace as David Bowie, in the person of one Leslie Conn (1929-2008), an unsung gentleman seemingly possessing a knack for spotting nascent musical talent.

Following the Chesternuts’ live charity performance at Stoke Newington supporting Benny Hill in mid-1958, Conn financed and produced the one-off recording session for the “Teenage Love”/”Jean Dorothy” single, issued by Columbia that summer, in addition to securing the group’s TV appearance on “Six-Five Special”, during the latter days of that programme’s life.

In early 1964, Conn became the manager of Davie Jones (later Bowie) and the King Bees, again producing and promoting a one-off single, this time for Decca/Vocalion, “Liza Jane”/”Louie, Louie Go Home”, in the June of that year… legend has it that he agreed to throw away several hundred unsold copies of the disc which he had stored in his mother’s garage!

It is perhaps worth mentioning that Conn’s contribution to the initial recorded career of Mr Bowie went unacknowledged in the recent BBC4 documentary marking the 40th anniversary of the release of the album, “The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars”.

Bill

[Arpeggio]

As ever, really superb information re: Chesternuts / Pete Chester Group from all concerned. I really loved the PCG instros such as "Ten Swingin' Bottles" (LOL), "Forest Fire" and "Man In Space". Without ploughing through old reference books / CD liner notes, I believe the latter was credited to The Vigilantes - but The Vigilantes and the Pete Chester Group were one and the same! Anyway - I didn't realised that Chris ("Yesterday Man") Andrews was once part of the set up!

Couldn't agree more with Bill about Leslie Conn. As Bowie's manager he was responsible for securing a session at 304, Holloway Road with Joe Meek. Leslie Conn also managed 15 year old fashion stylist, child model and popstar wannabe Mark Field / Feld (aka Marc Bolan). In his slighlty younger days he'd been in a school pop group with none other than Helen Shapiro!! Anyway (O/T for Shadows purposes really). Bolan (as Field / Feld) is supposed to have recorded for Joe Meek - but the Bolan experts can't agree. Given that Meek recorded Bowie & a young Stevie Marriott & a young pre - Status Quo Francis Rossi etc., etc.....& given that Mark lived in central London & given that Leslie Conn was involved.....I just can't imagine that the future Marc Bolan would not have visited 304.

Bests.....Rob

[GoldenStreet]

Like Rob, I had no idea of Chris Andrews' involvement with PCG / Vigilantes or his whereabouts now. I always think of his fertile period in the mid-60s with Sandie Shaw, Adam Faith and, particularly, singles by the Roulettes, such as "Bad Time", "Soon You'll Be leaving Me" - not hits but great songs!

Anorak time again! The one Vigilantes single "Man In Space"/ "Eclipse" (Pye 7N 25082, 1961) are both compositions by Bill Crompton and Morgan Jones of "The Stranger" fame.

Bill

[Arpeggio]

He! He! It was all very 'incestuous' wasn't it???

Bests....Rob

[cockroach]

Was Hank in the Chesternuts when they were on TV on the 6.5 I wonder? I used to watch that show....!

[Arpeggio]

Not on "6.5 Special" - but ceratainly on a wiped edition of "Oh Boy!" Rumour has it that a copy has been found....but nothing 'concerete' to prove it as fact just yet.

Rob