Alvin Stardust
Encyclopedia
Alvin Stardust is an English
pop singer
and stage actor.
, Nottinghamshire
at a young age, he attended the Southwell Minster Collegiate Grammar School (now Southwell Minster School
) as a boarder. He made his stage debut in pantomime
at the age of four.
In the early 1960s, Shane Fenton and The Fentones were an unknown teenage band who recorded a demo tape and mailed it in to a BBC
programme
with the hope of being picked to appear on TV
. While awaiting a reply from the BBC, the band's 17-year-old singer Shane Fenton (born John Theakstone, 1944–1961) died as a result of the rheumatic fever
he had suffered in childhood. The rest of the band (guitarists Gerry Wilcox and Mick Hay, bassist "Bonny" and drummer Bobby Elliott
) decided to break up, but then unexpectedly received a letter from the BBC inviting them to come to London to audition in person for the programme. Theakstone's mother asked the band to stay together, and to keep its name, in honour of her son's memory. Jewry, who was a roadie with the group at the time, was asked to become the new Shane Fenton. The combo had a handful of hits in the UK Singles Chart
, basing their sound on that of The Shadows
. Jewry later also appeared in Billy Fury
's movie
, Play It Cool. He was managed by Larry Parnes
.
Jewry disappeared from the spotlight for a decade after the break-up of The Fentones, working in music management and performing at small venues with his wife Iris Caldwell, the sister of Rory Storm
. During the early 1970s, however, Jewry acquired a new persona, Alvin Stardust, as he successfully cashed in on the glam rock
bandwagon. His name was given to him by Michael Levy (later Lord Levy
) who owned his record label
, Magnet Records
. His debut hit
was "My Coo Ca Choo
" in 1973. Stardust had other chart
successes with the hits — "Jealous Mind
" (UK No. 1
.), "You, You, You", "Red Dress" and "Good Love Can Never Die". In total, he amassed seven Top Ten entries, in a chart span lasting almost 25 years.
Stardust was part of the Green Cross Code
road safety campaign Children's Heroes (1976) with his famous tagline of "You must be out of your tiny minds" directing children to look both ways before they cross the road. He later reprised this role in a sketch on Harry Hill's TV Burp
, teaching the residents of Emmerdale
how to cross the road.
In 1985, Stardust participated in A Song for Europe, the UK qualifying heat of the Eurovision Song Contest
, with the song "The Clock on the Wall". He finished in third place behind Vikki
and Kerri Wells.
In 1986, Stardust performed the duet "I Hope and I Pray" with Sheila Walsh
on her album Shadowlands, which was released as a single. That year he also performed at Windsor Castle
as a lead in the Lloyd Webber–Rice musical Cricket
.
Stardust starred in the UK
tour of Godspell
; and played Uriah Heep
in David Copperfield — The Musical; and Sir Billy Butlin
in The Butlin Story at the London Palladium
. In 2005 Stardust starred as the Child Catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
, also at the London Palladium.
Stardust has numerous television
appearances to his credit, and continues to tour as a performer and singer.
In 2011, Stardust made a return to the stage as a singer rather than an actor, and is due to play the Arts Guild Theatre
in Greenock
on 28 October.
), who was an ex-girlfriend of both George Harrison
and Paul McCartney
, having grown up with them in Liverpool
; and secondly to actress, Liza Goddard
. He is now married to the actress Julie Paton.
His son Shaun Fenton became head teacher
at Pate's Grammar School
in 2006; previously he was the head teacher at Sir John Lawes School
. His other son, Adam, is a drum and bass
producer
and DJ
, known as Adam F
. Stardust's third child Sophie Jewry, from his marriage to Liza Goddard, runs her own graphic design
and printing business and lives in Norfolk
with her partner and daughter. Stardust's fourth child, Millie Margaret May, was born in December 2000. The christening
was covered by OK!
magazine
, with Sir Cliff Richard
as one of the godparent
s. As wife Julie hails from Swansea
, a Welsh
flavour was provided by a harp
ist and Welsh male voice choir, the Gwalia Singers
from Swansea.
Stardust is also a born-again Christian.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
pop singer
Pop Singer
"Pop Singer" is the début single from London-based glam rockers Rachel Stamp. It was released in February, 1996 through WEA. The single was released as a 2 track CD Single and limited edition pink 7" vinyl of 1000 copies...
and stage actor.
Career
Moving to MansfieldMansfield
Mansfield is a town in Nottinghamshire, England. It is the main town in the Mansfield local government district. Mansfield is a part of the Mansfield Urban Area....
, Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire is a county in the East Midlands of England, bordering South Yorkshire to the north-west, Lincolnshire to the east, Leicestershire to the south, and Derbyshire to the west...
at a young age, he attended the Southwell Minster Collegiate Grammar School (now Southwell Minster School
Southwell Minster School
Southwell Minster School often mistaken for a private institution, is a state funded comprehensive school in Southwell, Nottinghamshire, England. Its first recorded Schoolmaster was Henry de Hykeling in 1313. It gets the amongst the best GCSE results in Nottinghamshire , beaten only by two West...
) as a boarder. He made his stage debut in pantomime
Pantomime
Pantomime — not to be confused with a mime artist, a theatrical performer of mime—is a musical-comedy theatrical production traditionally found in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Jamaica, South Africa, India, Ireland, Gibraltar and Malta, and is mostly performed during the...
at the age of four.
In the early 1960s, Shane Fenton and The Fentones were an unknown teenage band who recorded a demo tape and mailed it in to a BBC
BBC Television
BBC Television is a service of the British Broadcasting Corporation. The corporation, which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a Royal Charter since 1927, has produced television programmes from its own studios since 1932, although the start of its regular service of television...
programme
Television program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
with the hope of being picked to appear on TV
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
. While awaiting a reply from the BBC, the band's 17-year-old singer Shane Fenton (born John Theakstone, 1944–1961) died as a result of the rheumatic fever
Rheumatic fever
Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that occurs following a Streptococcus pyogenes infection, such as strep throat or scarlet fever. Believed to be caused by antibody cross-reactivity that can involve the heart, joints, skin, and brain, the illness typically develops two to three weeks after...
he had suffered in childhood. The rest of the band (guitarists Gerry Wilcox and Mick Hay, bassist "Bonny" and drummer Bobby Elliott
Bobby Elliott
Robert Hartley "Bobby" Elliott is a rock drummer, best known for playing with The Hollies, who has been described as "one of the very finest drummers in all of pop/rock".-Early life:...
) decided to break up, but then unexpectedly received a letter from the BBC inviting them to come to London to audition in person for the programme. Theakstone's mother asked the band to stay together, and to keep its name, in honour of her son's memory. Jewry, who was a roadie with the group at the time, was asked to become the new Shane Fenton. The combo had a handful of hits in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, basing their sound on that of The Shadows
The Shadows
The Shadows are a British pop group with a total of 69 UK hit-charted singles: 35 as 'The Shadows' and 34 as 'Cliff Richard and the Shadows', from the 1950s to the 2000s. Cliff Richard in casual conversation with the British rock press frequently refers to the Shadows by their nickname: 'The Shads'...
. Jewry later also appeared in Billy Fury
Billy Fury
Billy Fury, born Ronald William Wycherley , was an internationally successful English singer from the late-1950s to the mid-1960s, and remained an active songwriter until the 1980s. Rheumatic fever, which he first contracted as a child, damaged his heart and ultimately contributed to his death...
's movie
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
, Play It Cool. He was managed by Larry Parnes
Larry Parnes
Laurence Maurice "Larry" Parnes was an English pop manager and impresario. He has been described as "the first major British rock manager... Parnes' stable encompassed most of the most successful pre-Beatles British rock singers."...
.
Jewry disappeared from the spotlight for a decade after the break-up of The Fentones, working in music management and performing at small venues with his wife Iris Caldwell, the sister of Rory Storm
Rory Storm
Rory Storm was an English singer and musician. Born Alan Caldwell in Liverpool, Storm was the singer and leader of Rory Storm and The Hurricanes, a Liverpudlian band who were contemporaries of The Beatles in the late 1950s, and early 1960s...
. During the early 1970s, however, Jewry acquired a new persona, Alvin Stardust, as he successfully cashed in on the glam rock
Glam rock
Glam rock is a style of rock and pop music that developed in the UK in the early 1970s, which was performed by singers and musicians who wore outrageous clothes, makeup and hairstyles, particularly platform-soled boots and glitter...
bandwagon. His name was given to him by Michael Levy (later Lord Levy
Michael Levy, Baron Levy
Michael Abraham Levy, Baron Levy, is President of Community Service Volunteers Jewish Care, Jewish Free School and Jewish Lads' and Girls' Brigade ....
) who owned his record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
, Magnet Records
Magnet Records
Magnet Records was a record label started in 1973 by Michael Levy and acquired by Warner Bros. Records in 1988 for an estimated £10m.Artists on the label included Alvin Stardust, Matchbox, Adrian Baker, Silver Convention, Guys 'n' Dolls, Darts, Kissing the Pink, Bad Manners, David D'Or, Blue Zoo...
. His debut hit
Hit record
A hit record is a sound recording, usually in the form of a single or album, that sells a large number of copies or otherwise becomes broadly popular or well-known, through airplay, club play, inclusion in a film or stage play soundtrack, causing it to have "hit" one of the popular chart listings...
was "My Coo Ca Choo
My Coo Ca Choo
"My Coo Ca Choo" is the first successful release for Alvin Stardust, reaching number two in the UK Singles Chart in December 1973. The glam rock single fared even better in Australia, where it spent seven weeks at the top and was the best charting single in the country in 1974...
" in 1973. Stardust had other chart
Record chart
A record chart is a ranking of recorded music according to popularity during a given period of time. Examples of music charts are the Hit parade, Hot 100 or Top 40....
successes with the hits — "Jealous Mind
Jealous Mind
"Jealous Mind" is a song recorded by Alvin Stardust from 1974, written and produced by Peter Shelley. "Jealous Mind" was Stardust's only number-one single in the UK Singles Chart, spending a single week at the top of the chart in March 1974. The single was released on Magnet Records.-References:...
" (UK No. 1
Record chart
A record chart is a ranking of recorded music according to popularity during a given period of time. Examples of music charts are the Hit parade, Hot 100 or Top 40....
.), "You, You, You", "Red Dress" and "Good Love Can Never Die". In total, he amassed seven Top Ten entries, in a chart span lasting almost 25 years.
Stardust was part of the Green Cross Code
Green Cross Code
The Green Cross Code is a brand created by the UK National Road Safety Committee to raise awareness of pedestrian road safety in the UK...
road safety campaign Children's Heroes (1976) with his famous tagline of "You must be out of your tiny minds" directing children to look both ways before they cross the road. He later reprised this role in a sketch on Harry Hill's TV Burp
Harry Hill's TV Burp
Harry Hill's TV Burp is a British television comedy programme produced by Avalon Television for ITV and hosted by comedian Harry Hill. The show presents a satirical look at the week's television, including extracts from TV shows with added sketches, observational voice-overs, and guest appearances...
, teaching the residents of Emmerdale
Emmerdale
Emmerdale, is a long-running British soap opera set in Emmerdale , a fictional village in the Yorkshire Dales. Created by Kevin Laffan, Emmerdale was first broadcast on 16 October 1972...
how to cross the road.
In 1985, Stardust participated in A Song for Europe, the UK qualifying heat of the Eurovision Song Contest
Eurovision Song Contest
The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union .Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition...
, with the song "The Clock on the Wall". He finished in third place behind Vikki
Aeone
Aeone Victoria Watson , best known as her mononym Aeone is a British artiste and composer, who now lives in Los Angeles, California. Her music has been classified as new age, folk or world music. She has released four albums, one of which was an internet only release. She now works extensively in...
and Kerri Wells.
In 1986, Stardust performed the duet "I Hope and I Pray" with Sheila Walsh
Sheila Walsh
Dr. Sheila Walsh, D.Min. is a Scottish-born contemporary Christian vocalist, songwriter, evangelist, author, inspirational speaker, and talk-show host.-Biography:...
on her album Shadowlands, which was released as a single. That year he also performed at Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is a medieval castle and royal residence in Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, notable for its long association with the British royal family and its architecture. The original castle was built after the Norman invasion by William the Conqueror. Since the time of Henry I it...
as a lead in the Lloyd Webber–Rice musical Cricket
Cricket (musical)
Cricket, also called Cricket , is a short musical written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. It was commissioned for Queen Elizabeth's 60th birthday celebration, and was first performed at Windsor Castle on 18 June 1986....
.
Stardust starred in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
tour of Godspell
Godspell
Godspell is a musical by Stephen Schwartz and John-Michael Tebelak. It opened off Broadway on May 17, 1971, and has played in various touring companies and revivals many times since, including a 2011 revival now playing on Broadway...
; and played Uriah Heep
Uriah Heep
Uriah Heep is a fictional character created by Charles Dickens in his novel David Copperfield.The character is notable for his cloying humility, obsequiousness, and insincerity, making frequent references to his own "'umbleness". His name has become synonymous with being a yes man...
in David Copperfield — The Musical; and Sir Billy Butlin
Billy Butlin
Sir William Heygate Edmund Colborne Butlin, , was a British, South Africa-born entrepreneur whose name is synonymous with the British holiday camp.American Heritage Dictionary 2004, p. 135.Scott 2001, p. 5...
in The Butlin Story at the London Palladium
London Palladium
The London Palladium is a 2,286 seat West End theatre located off Oxford Street in the City of Westminster. From the roster of stars who have played there and many televised performances, it is arguably the most famous theatre in London and the United Kingdom, especially for musical variety...
. In 2005 Stardust starred as the Child Catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (musical)
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, also known as Chitty the Musical, is a stage musical based on the 1968 film produced by Cubby Broccoli. The music and lyrics were written by Richard and Robert Sherman with book by Jeremy Sams.-Productions:...
, also at the London Palladium.
Stardust has numerous television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
appearances to his credit, and continues to tour as a performer and singer.
In 2011, Stardust made a return to the stage as a singer rather than an actor, and is due to play the Arts Guild Theatre
Arts Guild Theatre (Greenock)
The Arts Guild Theatre is located in Greenock, Scotland. The idea for the theatre was conceived by a group of local drama enthusiasts in 1946. The building contains two theatres, the Wallace Bennett Theatre and the Main Auditorium, and was previously a disused Victorian swimming pool...
in Greenock
Greenock
Greenock is a town and administrative centre in the Inverclyde council area in United Kingdom, and a former burgh within the historic county of Renfrewshire, located in the west central Lowlands of Scotland...
on 28 October.
Shane Fenton & The Fentones
- "I'm A Moody Guy" — 1961 — UK Singles ChartUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
high - No. 22 (remastered 2004) - "Walk Away" — 1962 — No. 38
- "It's All Over Now" — 1962 — No. 29 (remastered 2003)
- "Cindy's Birthday" — 1962 — No. 19
Alvin Stardust
- "My Coo-Ca-ChooMy Coo Ca Choo"My Coo Ca Choo" is the first successful release for Alvin Stardust, reaching number two in the UK Singles Chart in December 1973. The glam rock single fared even better in Australia, where it spent seven weeks at the top and was the best charting single in the country in 1974...
" — 1973 — No. 2 - "Jealous MindJealous Mind"Jealous Mind" is a song recorded by Alvin Stardust from 1974, written and produced by Peter Shelley. "Jealous Mind" was Stardust's only number-one single in the UK Singles Chart, spending a single week at the top of the chart in March 1974. The single was released on Magnet Records.-References:...
" — 1974 — No. 1 - "Red Dress" — 1974 — No. 7
- "You You You" — 1974 — No. 6
- "Tell Me Why" — 1974 — No. 16
- "Good Love Can Never Die" — 1975 — No. 11
- "Sweet Cheatin' Rita" — 1975 — No. 37
- "Pretend" — 1981 — No. 4
- "A Wonderful Time Up There — 1981 — No. 56
- "I Feel Like Buddy Holly" — 1984 — No. 7
- "I Won't Run Away" — 1984 — No. 7
- "So Near to Christmas" — 1984 — No. 29
- "Got a Little Heartache" — 1985 — No. 55
Personal life
Stardust has been married three times: firstly to Iris Caldwell (sister of Rory StormRory Storm
Rory Storm was an English singer and musician. Born Alan Caldwell in Liverpool, Storm was the singer and leader of Rory Storm and The Hurricanes, a Liverpudlian band who were contemporaries of The Beatles in the late 1950s, and early 1960s...
), who was an ex-girlfriend of both George Harrison
George Harrison
George Harrison, MBE was an English musician, guitarist, singer-songwriter, actor and film producer who achieved international fame as lead guitarist of The Beatles. Often referred to as "the quiet Beatle", Harrison became over time an admirer of Indian mysticism, and introduced it to the other...
and Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
, having grown up with them in Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
; and secondly to actress, Liza Goddard
Liza Goddard
Liza Goddard is an English television and stage actress best known for her work in the 1970s and 1980s.-Early life:Goddard was born in Smethwick, West Midlands, England...
. He is now married to the actress Julie Paton.
His son Shaun Fenton became head teacher
Head teacher
A head teacher or school principal is the most senior teacher, leader and manager of a school....
at Pate's Grammar School
Pate's Grammar School
Pate's Grammar School is a voluntary aided, selective grammar school in the Hesters Way area of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England catering for pupils aged 11 to 18. It was granted Language College status in 2001, is a Beacon school, and in February 2006 was one of the first in the country to be...
in 2006; previously he was the head teacher at Sir John Lawes School
Sir John Lawes School
Sir John Lawes School is a secondary school located in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom . It is a state-run school for both males and females between the ages of 11 and 18. The school has close links to two other local secondary schools—Roundwood Park School and St...
. His other son, Adam, is a drum and bass
Drum and bass
Drum and bass is a type of electronic music which emerged in the late 1980s. The genre is characterized by fast breakbeats , with heavy bass and sub-bass lines...
producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
and DJ
Disc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
, known as Adam F
Adam F
Adam F is an English jungle and drum and bass DJ, and film actor.-Career:An early album was the techstep effort, Metropolis/Mother Earth, released in 1997 on the Metalheadz record label. His other early successes were the tracks "F-Jam" and "Circles"...
. Stardust's third child Sophie Jewry, from his marriage to Liza Goddard, runs her own graphic design
Graphic design
Graphic design is a creative process – most often involving a client and a designer and usually completed in conjunction with producers of form – undertaken in order to convey a specific message to a targeted audience...
and printing business and lives in Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk is a low-lying county in the East of England. It has borders with Lincolnshire to the west, Cambridgeshire to the west and southwest and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North Sea coast and to the north-west the county is bordered by The Wash. The county...
with her partner and daughter. Stardust's fourth child, Millie Margaret May, was born in December 2000. The christening
Infant baptism
Infant baptism is the practice of baptising infants or young children. In theological discussions, the practice is sometimes referred to as paedobaptism or pedobaptism from the Greek pais meaning "child." The practice is sometimes contrasted with what is called "believer's baptism", or...
was covered by OK!
OK!
OK! is a British weekly magazine specializing in celebrity news. Originally launched as a monthly, its first issue was published in April 1993. In September 2004, OK! publishers Northern and Shell launched in Australia as a monthly title – the magazine went weekly in October 2006...
magazine
Magazine
Magazines, periodicals, glossies or serials are publications, generally published on a regular schedule, containing a variety of articles. They are generally financed by advertising, by a purchase price, by pre-paid magazine subscriptions, or all three...
, with Sir Cliff Richard
Cliff Richard
Sir Cliff Richard, OBE is a British pop singer, musician, performer, actor, and philanthropist who has sold over an estimated 250 million records worldwide....
as one of the godparent
Godparent
A godparent, in many denominations of Christianity, is someone who sponsors a child's baptism. A male godparent is a godfather, and a female godparent is a godmother...
s. As wife Julie hails from Swansea
Swansea
Swansea is a coastal city and county in Wales. Swansea is in the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan. Situated on the sandy South West Wales coast, the county area includes the Gower Peninsula and the Lliw uplands...
, a Welsh
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
flavour was provided by a harp
Harp
The harp is a multi-stringed instrument which has the plane of its strings positioned perpendicularly to the soundboard. Organologically, it is in the general category of chordophones and has its own sub category . All harps have a neck, resonator and strings...
ist and Welsh male voice choir, the Gwalia Singers
Gwalia Singers (Swansea)
The Gwalia Singers is a Welsh male voice choir based in Swansea, Wales.- History :The choir was formed in 1966 by Bryan Myles. They competed in their first serious competition in 1978 - the Welsh Brewers' Choral Competition, held in Carmarthen. The following year they won in the category for fewer...
from Swansea.
Stardust is also a born-again Christian.