In Memory - Alvin Stardust R.I.P.

  

Alvin Stardust, the pop singer, best known for 1970s hits such as ‘My Coo Ca Choo’ and ‘Jealous Mind’ has died aged 72 after a short illness.

Born, Bernard William Jewry on 27 September 1942, he made is stage debut in panto aged 4.

He was the road manager and occasional singer with Johnny Theakston and the Tremeloes who submitted a demo tape to the BBC as Shane Fenton and the Fentones.

Johnny Theakstone (Shane Fenton) died and Jewry became the new Shane Fenton. They began to have 4 top 40 hits in the UK between October 1961 & July 1962, the biggest of which was ‘Cindy’s Birthday’ which reached #18. He quit recording in 1964 to work in management.

However, by 1973, and with a new name, Alvin Stardust, had a new image of black leather (including gloves), stuck on sideburns and dyed black hair. With the changes became new stardom, becoming successful with both singles and album success.

By 1975 however, his career was ebbing and in 1975 he had his last Top 40 hit of the 70s, ‘Sweet Cheating Rita’ which only peaked at #37

In 1981, he had something of a revival when he joined Stiff Records and covered Nat’ 'King’ Cole’s ‘Pretend', getting to #4. Another chart run ensued until 1985 when his last song to enter the UK chart, ‘Got A Little Heartache’ only reached #55.

His career wasn’t over though as he appeared in many concerts and ‘oldies’ reunion tours. I remember seeing him at Birmingham’s NEC in the mid-1990s, by which time he seemed to be having fun singing his greatest hits and taking the mickey out of his Alvin Stardust persona.

He was recently diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer and died at home in West Sussex with his wife and family around him.

Pretty much all of the Shane Fenton and Alvin Stardust catalogue would now be classed in 'Missing In Action' and I'll look to get some of his music in the show in the near future.

Alvin Stardust R.I.P

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