Paul Hester
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Paul Hester | |
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 San Francisco, 1987.
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Paul Newell Hester |
| Born | 8 January 1959 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Died | 26 March 2005 (aged 46) Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Genre(s) | Rock |
| Years active | 1980–2005 |
| Associated acts | |
Paul Newell Hester (January 8, 1959 – March 26, 2005) was an Australian musician and television personality best known for his work as the drummer for Split Enz and Crowded House.
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[edit] The Early Years
Hester was the eldest of two children in Melbourne, Australia. His younger sister, Carolyn Hester, lives in the Dandenong Ranges, in Eastern Victoria. From an early age, Hester was encouraged by his mother, Anne, to learn to play the drums, as she was a jazz drummer. Hester attempted various jobs before starting a musical career. He spent most of his teen years living in the Dandenong Ranges with the family home right on the edge of Sherbrooke Forest on the Sherbrooke / Kallista boundary. Some of his earliest bands in the late 1970's which gigged around the eastern suburbs of Melbourne included 'Thunder' (possibly his first real performing band) 1976 - 1977 and then 'Soft Edges' 1977 - 1978. In 1980 he co-founded a Melbourne-based band called Cheks, renamed Deckchairs Overboard when they moved to Sydney in 1982; which also had Cathy McQuade, Ken Campbell and John Clifforth. Hester was living with Deborah Conway of Do-Ré-Mi during the early 1980s while also playing regularly in Love Party (band). [1] Hester later worked with Conway in Rose Amongst Thorns (1990-1991) and Ultrasound (1995).[2]
[edit] Split Enz & Crowded House
[edit] Split Enz
At the departure of drummer Mal Green, percussionist Noel Crombie took up the role of drummer for Split Enz. After the release of the Enz album Time and Tide the band took a break to focus on other projects. According to the radio documentary Enzology, when the band reformed in mid 1983 both Finn brothers returned somewhat distracted. Tim Finn had just released the very successful solo album Escapade, while younger brother Neil had a child on the way.
The reunion resulted in Conflicting Emotions, an album many would say marked the beginning of the end for the Enz. Before the tour it was decided that Noel Crombie would return to percussion (something he says he enjoyed more than drumming) and the band would find a new drummer. Hester was auditioned on the advice of Rob Hirst of Midnight Oil and got the job.
When Split Enz split up in 1984, Hester and Neil Finn decided to start a new band.
[edit] Crowded House
Initially, this new band was named "The Mullanes", then underwent a few name changes. The band recruited Nick Seymour to play bass and secured a recording contract. However, the studio disliked the name and the band changed its name to Crowded House.
Paul remained with Crowded House until 1994, when the pressure of touring and the birth of his first daughter made him want to stay home rather than remain on the road.
[edit] After Crowded House
After leaving Crowded House, Hester appeared on many TV and radio shows in Australia and opened a cafe/restaurant named Beach House Cafe with fellow Melbourne musician Joe Camilleri in Elwood Beach in Melbourne.
From 1995 until 1998, Paul appeared regularly on the popular Australian radio show Martin/Molloy.
Hester also had a recurring role as "Paul the Cook" on the popular Australian children's television show, The Wiggles. Americans might remember him best for his appearance in the Wiggles' video on the Disney Channel for "Fruit Salad (Yummy Yummy)."[3]
Another of Hester's major contributions was his consistent efforts on behalf of Indigenous Australian culture. He also worked to publicize the local Melbourne musical scene.
[edit] Largest Living Things
He later became involved in a new band called Largest Living Things, with Kevin Garant on guitar and Barry Stockley on bass, performing with members of rock groups Crowded House, Split Enz, Midnight Oil, and others. Largest Living Things released a few EPs in Australia featuring songs written and sung by Hester; in contrast to his previous work in Crowded House, Hester played guitar as well as the drums. The Largest Living Things featured on Mick Molloy's controversial 1999 TV show "The Mick Molloy Show," with Hester acting as bandleader.
[edit] Hessie's Shed
In 1998 Paul hosted his own 10-part TV series Hessie's Shed on the ABC. This show gave Hester the room to explore his humorous presenter skills, showcase some friends, reunite with friends from Crowded House, and play with the house band and his own band "Largest Living Things", with Paul now performing from behind the drums instead of guitar. Special guests including Paul Kelly, Neil Finn, Rob Hirst, Archie Roach, Ruby Hunter, Stephen Cummings, Colin Hay, Deb Conway, Mick Thomas, Ross Hanaford, Renne Geyer, Dan Warner, Kutcha Edwards, and Ross Wilson to name a few.
[edit] The Max Sessions
Paul went on to host the intimate concerts The MAX Sessions. Broadcast on MAX (Channel), these intimate concerts, which were mainly recorded at Sydney's Opera House, featured a variety of local and international acts.
A highlight of the show's concerts saw Paul reunite with former bandmates Neil Finn and Tim Finn for a few songs, backing them on drums, while they were promoting their album Everyone Is Here.
[edit] Personal life
Paul had two daughters with photographer Mardi Sommerfield. They lived in the suburb of Elwood in Melbourne, Victoria. Hester is quoted as having claimed that he's always lived "on pages 57 and 58 of the Melway", being the pages of the Melbourne map book covering the St Kilda district. Acknowledging Paul's long links with the area, in October 2005 the local council agreed to name a path alongside the Elwood Canal after him, Paul Hester Walk.
[edit] Death
On March 26, 2005, aged 46, Hester committed suicide. He had split from the mother of his two daughters (aged 4 and 10 at the time of his death). It was well known to family and close friends that he had been suffering from depression for a number of years, and he was known for his extreme mood swings.[3] Hester was laid to rest at Blackwood in the high-country region of Victoria.
His life was commemorated at the 2005 Aria Awards with Neil Finn singing the staple Crowded House anthem solo "Better Be Home Soon" along with a mini-biography and footage from his life and achievements.
In July 2006, Hester's former girlfriend Kashan Vincent sued his estate, claiming a third of his net worth.[4] Vincent claims the pair had a relationship for 32 months, and while not cohabiting, were engaged, but had called off the wedding. In February 2007 the lawsuit was resolved out of court.[citation needed]
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ Harris, Anna (2004-01-30). Deborah Conway - Still Alive and Brilliant. Retrieved on 2007-07-19.
- ^ Australian Rock Database. Magnus Holmgren. Retrieved on 2007-07-19.
- ^ a b Harris, Chris (2005-03-28). Crowded House drummer Paul Hester found dead in Australia. MTV.com. Retrieved on 2007-10-14.
- ^ Singer seeks portion of Hester estate. The Age. Retrieved on 2008-02-09.
- Chunn, Mike, Stranger Than Fiction: The Life and Times of Split Enz, GP Publications, 1992. ISBN 1-86956-050-7
- Bourke, Chris, Something So Strong, Macmillan Australia, 1997, ISBN 0-7329-0886-8
- Twomey, Chris & Doole, Kerry, Crowded House: Private Universe, Omnibus Pr, 1998, ISBN 0-7119-4816-X
- Dix, John, Stranded in Paradise: New Zealand Rock and Roll, 1955 to the Modern Era, Penguin Books, 2005, ISBN 0-14-301953-8
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