Paul Hester
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- For the U.S. Air Force General, see Paul V. Hester.
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 both Split Enz and Crowded House.
The Early Years
Hester was born in Blackwood, a small town near Melbourne, Australia. From an early age, Hester was encouraged by his mother, Anne, to learn to play the drums (as she was a jazz drummer), and he was soon displaying his talent. Hester tried out various jobs before starting a musical career. In 1980 he co-founded a band called '' Cheks'', which in 1982 changed into Deckchairs Overboard.Split Enz & Crowded House
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 radio documentary Enzology, when they reformed in mid 1983 both Finn brothers returned somewhat distracted. Tim Finn had just release the very successful solo album Escapade, while younger brother Neil had a child on the way.
The result of the reunion was the album Conflicting Emotions, an album which many say was the beginning of the end for the Enz. Before the tour it was decided that Noel Crombie would go back on percussion (something that he says he enjoyed moreso than drumming), & the band would find a new drummer. Hester was auditioned on 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.
This new band initially was named "Largest Living Things" and underwent a few incarnations of different names, but as the band recruited Nick Seymour to play bass, the band secured a recording contract but the studio disliked the name, and so the band changed their name to Crowded House.
Paul remained in the band until 1994, when the pressure of touring and the added element of his first daughter made him want to go home, rather than be on the road.
After Crowded House
After leaving Crowded House, Hester appeared on many TV and radio shows in Australia and opened a restaurant in Elwood Beach in Melbourne.He later became involved in a new band also called Largest Living Things, collaborating with members of rock groups Hoodoo Gurus and others. Largest Living Things soon after released a few EPs in Australia featuring songs written and sung by Hester, but in contrast to his previous work in Crowded House, was behind the guitar, not the drumkit.
From 1995 til 1998, Paul was a regular guest on the popular Australian radio show Martin/Molloy, and went on to be the bandleader on co-host Mick Molloy's controversial 1999 TV show The Mick Molloy Show.
[ 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 humourous presenter skills, showcase some friends, and reunite with friends from Crowded House, and as the "house band" had his own band "Largest Living Things", Paul now performing from behind the drums instead of guitar.
He also had a recurring role as "Paul the Cook" on the popular Australian children's television show, The Wiggles.
Another major contribution of Hester's was his consistent efforts in the Indigenous Australian culture and popularising the local Melbourne musical scene.
Personal Life
He was engaged to Kashan Vincent, a New Zealander, with whom he had two daughters. They lived in the suburb of Elwood in Melbourne, Victoria. In his life, Hester is quoted as having claimed that he's always lived "On pages 57 and 58 of the Melways", indicating his always having lived in the famous St Kilda area of Melbourne.Paul's Departure
On March 26, 2005, Hester's body was found in a local park, and it was reported that he had hanged himself. Hester had split from the mother of his two daughters (aged 8 and 10 at the time of his death) and had recently abandoned plans to marry a girlfriend, Kashan Vincent. It is believed that he had been suffering from depression for a number of years, or more probably Bipolar Disorder, as he was noted to swing between depression and extremes of happiness.His life was commemorated at the 2005 Aria Awards (Australian Record Industry 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.
External links and references
- [R.I.P. Paul Hester] (Paul Cashmere, Undercover, 26 March 2005)
- [Hessie's Shed]
- Chunn, Mike, Stranger Than Fiction: The Life and Times of Split Enz, GP Publications, 1992. ISBN 1869560507
- Bourke, Chris, Something So Strong, Macmillan Australia, 1997, ISBN 0732908868
- Twomey, Chris & Doole, Kerry, Crowded House: Private Universe, Omnibus Pr, 1998, ISBN 071194816X
- Dix, John, Stranded in Paradise: New Zealand Rock and Roll, 1955 to the Modern Era, Penguin Books, 2005, ISBN 0143019538
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