Chas Hodges
Hodges at Let's Rock Bristol, June 2015
Background information
Birth nameCharles Nicholas Hodges
Born(1943-12-28)28 December 1943
Edmonton, Middlesex, England
Died22 September 2018(2018-09-22) (aged 74)
Tottenham, England
GenresRock, pop, rockney
Occupation(s)Singer, musician
Instrument(s)Vocals, piano, guitar, bass, banjo
Years active1960–2018
LabelsRetreat, EMI, Rockney
Websitechashodges.com

Charles Nicholas Hodges (28 December 1943 – 22 September 2018) was an English musician and singer who was the lead vocalist of musical duo Chas & Dave.

Early life

Hodges was born at the North Middlesex University Hospital in Edmonton on 28 December 1943 to Albert and Daisy Hodges.[1] He was named Charles Nicholas, but called Chas as it is a common abbreviation for Charles.[1] He was raised in north London, and moved to Kent in the summer of 1947.[2] His father committed suicide just before Hodges turned four.[3] After his father's death, the family returned to Edmonton in North London to live with his grandparents, with his mother making a living playing piano in local pubs and clubs.[1] He attended Eldon Road School,[4] and later Edmonton Higher Grade School but left just before he was 15 at the end of 1958.[5]

Hodges first became interested in Rock 'n' Roll music after listening to Little Richard on Radio Luxembourg around 1956.[6] He was then inspired by Lonnie Donegan to learn to play the guitar when he was 12, and joined a skiffle band a year later in 1957, The Horseshoe Skiffle Group.[6][7] In May 1958, he attended a Jerry Lee Lewis concert and became interested in learning to play the piano. He worked for a while in a jeweller's shop after leaving school.[8]

Career

Hodges became a professional musician by the age of 16, playing bass guitar with various local bands until he joined Billy Gray and the Stormers in 1960.[9][8] After Billy Gray and the Stormers broke up, Hodges worked with the producer Joe Meek who put Hodges and his former band together as backing band for Mike Berry, forming the Outlaws.[10] The line up included Mick Underwood, later drummer in heavy rock act, Gillan and were later joined by lead guitarist and later Deep Purple founding member Ritchie Blackmore. They also worked as session musicians, backing Jerry Lee Lewis, Bill Haley and Gene Vincent. Hodges claimed that he learnt the piano by watching Jerry Lee Lewis whilst backing him.[11] During this time, Hodges became known as "Sleepy" after his habit of falling asleep during the recording process.[12] The Outlaws broke up, and he was invited to join Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers as a bass player in 1965.[13][2][14]

Hodges had known Dave Peacock for a number of years; they met in 1963 when a friend of Peacock gave Hodges a lift home and found they had similar taste in music.[15] After the Rebel Rousers, Hodges joined Peacock, Harvey Hinsley and Mick Burt in Black Claw (three of the band would later be in Chas & Dave).[16] In 1970, Albert Lee asked him to join a new band Heads Hands & Feet, who supported Blackmore's subsequent band Deep Purple on tour. He played bass with Purple for one show on 8 March 1971, at Music Hall Aberdeen, substituting for the regular bassist, Roger Glover, who was ill.[17] They attempted to form a new breakaway band named The New Heads Hands & Feet; Lee however left to play for The Crickets, and they finished as a band.[18]

Chas & Dave

Hodges toured America when he was with Heads Hands & Feet, and it was during the tour that he began to have the idea of performing in his natural accent as he thought it "not quite real" performing in an American accent to an American audience.[19] When Heads Hands & Feet broke up in 1972, Hodges and Peacock considered forming a band together, singing in their own accent about things they knew. They began to perform as a duo Chas & Dave. Hodges was originally a bass player, but in Chas & Dave he played the piano and guitar while Peacock played bass. They also recorded as Oily Rags (cockney rhyming slang for cigarettes - "fags") with Gerry Hogan and Ian Wallace, and releasing a self-titled album in 1974.[20][21] They also recorded an album with Oliver Nelson.[22] In 1975 Hodges and Peacock played on Labi Siffre's album Remember My Song. Eminem would later sample a riff from the song "I Got The" (featuring Hodges on guitar and Peacock on bass) on his 1999 hit "My Name Is".[23]

Hodges and Peacock recorded their first album as Chas & Dave in 1974, and this album, One Fing'*'Anuvver, was released in 1975. According to Hodges, the title track "One Fing'*'Anuvver" was their first Rockney song. Burt joined the duo in 1976 as a drummer.[24] They were signed by EMI in 1978, and the album Rockney was released the same year.[25] A song from the album, "Strummin'", was their first song to reach the chart. In early 1979, a song from their first album "Woortcha!" was used for a notable television commercial for Courage Bitter, and the song was then re-recorded and released as a single, retitled "Gertcha".[26][27] They opened for Led Zeppelin at the 1979 Knebworth Festival.[28]

In 1980, Chas & Dave formed their own record label Rockney with their manager Bob England. Their first release under this label "Rabbit" became a top 10 hit.[27] They had a bigger hit song in 1982 with "Ain't No Pleasing You", written largely by Hodges.[29]

Hodges was popular amongst supporters of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club owing to singles he had released as Chas & Dave. These include "Glory Glory Tottenham Hotspur", "Hot Shot Tottenham!", "When the Year Ends in One", "Spurs Medley" and "Ossie's Dream (Spurs Are on Their Way to Wembley)".[30]

He also played piano for short-lived supergroup called the Rockers, which featured Roy Wood, Phil Lynott and John Coghlan.[31]

In 2009, following the death of his wife Sue, Peacock announced his retirement from performing with Chas & Dave.[32] However, he changed his mind the following year and announced a tour for 2011.[33]

They also played their "Christmas Jamboree" at the IndigO2 in December 2011 and December 2012. They undertook a 'Back By Demand' tour of the UK between February and May 2013. In 2012, Hodges wrote and recorded a charity single with his band and 2012 Premier League Darts players called "Got My Tickets for the Darts". The video featured Hodges, his band, the 2012 Premier League Darts players, and walk-on girl Jacqui Adams. It was released on 18 May, the night after the play-offs at the O2 arena in London, where it was premiered, and proceeds from the single were donated to the Haven House Children's Hospice, in Woodford Green, Essex.[34]

In 2009 Hodges released an eponymous solo album on Talking Elephant Records[35] In 2010, he guested on an album by Vince Eager (Western Star Records) called 788 Years of Rock n Roll, the following year Hodges returned to the label to record a solo album titled Together We Made Music.[36] In 2014, Hodges also guested on Simon Fowler's new band Merrymouth's album, Wenlock Hill, contributing piano on the song "Salt Breeze".[37]

Hodges was a keen gardener. In 2014, he started his Rock n Roll Allotment column in the British newspaper the Daily Express.[38]

Illness and death

On 6 February 2017, it was announced that Hodges had been diagnosed with oesophageal cancer. A statement on social media said the illness had been caught "at an early stage", and that he would be undergoing treatment immediately.[39] The pair stated that they hoped to be "back out on the road" soon.[40]

He died in his sleep in the early hours of 22 September 2018, due to complications of pneumonia, aged 74.[41][13]

Discography

Albums

Solo

with the Outlaws

  • The Crazy Beat of Gene Vincent (Rockin' Jamboree Records, live 1963)

Singles and EPs

Solo

  • "Two Timing Baby / Will It Happen to Me?" (Ember Records, 1961)
  • "As from Tonight" (demo) (RPM Records, 1962)
  • "Stairway to a Star" (demo) (RPM Records, 1963)
  • "Full Grown Doll" (demo) (RPM Records, 1963)
  • "You Got What I Want" (demo) (RPM Records, 1964)
  • "Merry Go Round / Go On Then" (His Master's Voice, 1963)
  • "Don't Think Twice It's All Right / Big Fat Spider" (Columbia Records, 1964)
  • "Digging My Potatoes / She Ain't Coming Back" (Columbia Records, 1965)
  • "Satisfy My Soul / My Only Souvenir" (Line Records, 1966)
  • "I Shall Be Released / Down in the Flood" (Columbia Records, 1968)
  • "Madena / Standing Still" (Pye Records, 1968)
  • "Good Times / Sally" (Revolver Records, 1969)
  • "Across the Great Divide / Sally" (Bell Records, 1969)
  • "Walkin' Shoes / Around and Around" (Line Records, 1969)
  • "Your Cheatin' Heart / Breathless" (Line Records, 1970)
  • "Reelin' and Rockin' / Ballad of Billy Joe" (Line Records, 1970)
  • "Black Claw / Balls of Fire" (Line Records, 1970)
  • "Bei Mir Bist Du Schon (Means That You're Grand) / Bo Weevil" (Amsterdam Records, 1973)
  • "Green Door / San Francisco Bay" (Signature Records, 1974)
  • "We Are the Boys (Who Make All the Noise) / Rockin' on the Stage" (CBS, 1983)
  • "Got My Ticket for the Darts" (as Chas Hodges & the Premier League Boys) (Matchroom Sport Ltd, 2012)

with the Outlaws

  • "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" / "My Baby Doll" (Decca, 1961)
  • "Tribute to Buddy Holly" / "What's the Matter" (HMV, 1961)
  • "It's Just a Matter of Time" / "Little Boy Blue" (HMV, 1962)
  • "Don't You Think It's Time" / "Loneliness" (with the Admirals a.k.a. the Outlaws) (HMV, 1962)
  • "My Little Baby" / "You'll Do It You'll Fall in Love" (HMV, 1963)
  • "Johnny Remember Me / There Must Be" (Top Rank International, 1961)
  • "Telstar" (demo) / "Telstar" (2nd stage demo) (Decca Records, 1962)[44]
  • "San Francisco Bay / Like a Bird Without Feathers" (Decca Records, 1962)
  • "The Birds & the Bees / Something at the Bottom of My Garden" (demo) (Decca Records, 1962)
  • "Poppin' Part I / Poppin' Part II" (Parlophone Records, 1962)
  • "If You've Got to Pick a Baby / In the First Place" (His Master's Voice, 1963)
  • In Sweden EP (His Master's Voice, 1963)
  • "Thou Shalt Not Steal / Been Invited to a Party" (His Master's Voice, 1965)
  • "A Fool Such as I / It's Nice In't It?" (Decca Records, 1964)
  • "Tell the Truth / Shut Up" (Pye Records, 1964)
  • "Galway Bay / Livin' Alone" (Parlophone Records, 1964)
  • Ramona EP (Parlophone Records, 1964)
  • "The Bike Beat 1 / The Bike Beat 2" (Lyntone, 1964)
  • "Girls Go for Guys / Chico" (Guyden Records, 1964)
  • "Bouncing Bass / Let Me In" (Fontana Records, 1965)
  • "Hurt Me / It Can Happen to You" (Pye Records, 1965)
  • "To Know Him Is to Love Him/..." (Chattahoochie, 1965)
  • "Satan's Holliday / Earthshaker" (Titan, 1965)
  • "Little Brown Jug / Getaway" (Line Records, 1965)

Publications

  • Chas & Dave: All About Us (2008)[45]
  • Chas and His Rock 'n' Roll Allotment (2010)[46]
  • 101 Facts you didn't know about Chas and Dave (2013)[47]
  • Memories of The Lane: Good Times at Tottenham (2018)[48]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Hodges 2009, Chapter 1: First Memories.
  2. 1 2 Beal, James (2 July 2008). "This week: Musician Chas Hodges, from band Chas and Dave, who are playing at the Palace in Bridgwater this week". Bridgewater Mercury. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  3. ↑ Webber, Richard (1 October 2018). "Chas: 'It doesn't matter who wrote which song - we always go 50/50 on the money'". Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  4. ↑ Hodges 2009, Chapter 2: 11, Harton Road.
  5. ↑ Hodges 2009, Chapter 6: Jerry Lewis for Me.
  6. 1 2 Hodges 2009, Chapter 5: I Become a Rock 'n' Roller.
  7. ↑ Hann, Michael (27 September 2018). "Chas Hodges, an appreciation: one of the most significant English folk musicians".
  8. 1 2 Hodges 2009, Chapter 7: First Real Job.
  9. ↑ "A Tribute to our friend and The Pearly King of Rockney Mr Chas Hodges". The Pearlies. 29 September 2018.
  10. ↑ Hodges 2009, Chapter 9: The Outlaws.
  11. ↑ "The piano's got heart". The Guardian. 11 October 2008. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  12. ↑ Watts, Derek (2008). Country Boy: A Biography of Albert Lee. McFarland. p. 68. ISBN 978-0-786-48295-5.
  13. 1 2 McShane, Asher (22 September 2018). "Chas Hodges of Cockney music duo Chas and Dave dies aged 74 after suffering 'organ failure' in battle with throat cancer". Evening Standard. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  14. ↑ Bloom, Jerry (2006) Black Knight: The Ritchie Blackmore Story, Omnibus Press, ISBN 978-1846092664, p. 41
  15. ↑ Rees, Jasper (23 September 2018). "theartsdesk Q&A: Chas and Dave". theartsdesk.
  16. ↑ Hodges 2009, Chapter 16: Now What Can We Do to Get Some Money?.
  17. ↑ "Chas & Dave: 'We were on telly about seven times one day'". The Guardian. 26 September 2013. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  18. ↑ Hodges 2009, Chapter 18: HH & F – RIP.
  19. ↑ Hodges 2009, Chapter 17: Heads Hands & Feet.
  20. ↑ Unterberger, Richie. "Oily Rags". AllMusic.
  21. ↑ Clarke, Donald (1998). The Penguin encyclopedia of popular music. Penguin Books. p. 239. ISBN 9780140513707.
  22. ↑ Wyse, Pascal (28 October 2005). "We're jammin': Chas & Dave". The Guardian.
  23. ↑ Burnett, Bryan (28 October 2008). "My name is...Chas and Dave". BBC. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  24. ↑ Hodges 2009, Chapter 20: First Record Deal.
  25. ↑ Rushton, Susie (19 December 2007). "Rockney geezers: A knees-up with Chas & Dave". The Independent.
  26. ↑ Fletcher, Winston (17 January 2006). "Obituary: John Webster". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 27 June 2008.
  27. 1 2 Hodges 2009, Chapter 22: Bob England and 'Gertcha!'.
  28. ↑ "The 1979 Knebworth Concerts". Ukrockfestivals.com. Retrieved 22 August 2008.
  29. ↑ Hodges 2009, Chapter 24: No Pleasin' You.
  30. ↑ "Chas from Chas and Dave dies aged 74 and Tottenham, the fans and ex-players pay tribute". TalkSport. 23 September 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  31. ↑ Stroud, Graeme (2017). Status Quo: Song by Song. Fonthill. p. 168.
  32. ↑ "Entertainment | Pop veterans Chas and Dave split". News.bbc.co.uk. 22 September 2009. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  33. ↑ "The return of Chas & Dave! – farewell tour 2011". Chasndave.com. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 1 November 2010.
  34. ↑ "Chas & Stars Record Charity Single". Pdc.tv. 8 March 2012. Archived from the original on 13 April 2012.
  35. 1 2 "Chas Hodges - Charles "Chas" Hodges - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  36. 1 2 The Western Star Story: Part 1: The First Decade. Western Star. 2013. ISBN 978-0957594302.
  37. ↑ "New Album: Merrymouth – Wenlock Hill". Navigator Records. 27 February 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  38. ↑ "Meet our Chas and his Rock'n'Roll Allotment". Daily Express. 22 June 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  39. ↑ "Chas Hodges from Chas and Dave diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus". The Telegraph. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
  40. ↑ "Chas & Dave Singer Chas Hodges diagnosed with cancer". BBC News. 6 February 2017.
  41. ↑ O’Connor, Roisin (22 September 2018). "Chas Hodges death: One half of famous London duo Chas & Dave dies". The Independent. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  42. ↑ "Green Bullfrog". Bad Cat Records. Archived from the original on 19 October 2019. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  43. ↑ "Before We Grow Too Old - J. I. Allison, Chas & J.I., Charles "Chas" Hodges, Chas Hodges - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  44. ↑ "Dave Adams* - The Dave Adams Story". Discogs. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  45. ↑ Hodges, Chas (2008). Chas and Dave: All About Us. John Blake Publishing. ISBN 978-1-857-82826-9.
  46. ↑ Hodges, Chas (2010). Chas and His Rock 'n' Roll Allotment. Apex Publishing Limited. ISBN 978-1-906-35877-8.
  47. ↑ Hodges, Chas (2013). 101 Facts you didn't know about Chas and Dave. Andrews UK Limited. ISBN 978-1-909-94950-8.
  48. ↑ Hodges, Chas (2018). Memories of The Lane: Good Times at Tottenham. Andrews UK Limited. ISBN 978-1-911-47647-4.

Bibliography


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