Chesney Lee Hawkes (born 22 September 1971) is an English singer and occasional actor. He started his career at the age of 19 when he appeared in the film Buddy's Song, which featured his best-known single "The One and Only", which topped the UK Singles Chart for five weeks and reached the top 10 in the United States. Follow-up single "I'm a Man Not a Boy" peaked at 27 in the UK, with subsequent singles including "What's Wrong with This Picture?", "Stay Away Baby Jane" (a collaboration with Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne) and "Another Fine Mess" also charting in the top 100.
Hawkes was born in Windsor, Berkshire. He was named after the singer and comedian Chesney Allen. His father is singer and bassist Chip Hawkes of the 1960s band the Tremeloes.[1] His mother is former actress/game-show hostess Carol Dilworth, who appeared in an episode of the 1960s version of Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) called "For the Girl Who Has Everything", as well as the 1969 horror film The Haunted House of Horror. Keely Hawkes, his sister, was the lead singer of 1990s band Transister, and is currently a songwriter based in Los Angeles. He attended Charters School in Sunningdale. Jodie Hawkes, his brother, played drums in Chesney's band and is currently in The Tremeloes.
Hawkes's career began at 19, when he appeared as the title character in the film Buddy's Song. In March 1991, he released from the film's soundtrack his biggest single "The One and Only", on which his younger brother Jodie was the drummer. Written by Nik Kershaw, the song was later featured in the opening credits of Doc Hollywood (1991), starring Michael J. Fox; in the 2009 movie Moon, as the song Sam Rockwell wakes up to every morning; and again in the 2011 film Source Code (also directed by director Duncan Jones) as the mobile phone ringtone of Michelle Monaghan's character. The single spent five weeks at No. 1 in the UK Singles Chart. He has released eight singles including "I'm a Man Not a Boy" and "Secrets of the Heart".
In 1993, his single "What's Wrong with This Picture?" reached number 63 in the UK, and his 2002 collaboration with Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne, "Stay Away Baby Jane", reached number 74 in the UK Singles Chart.[2]
On 21 March 2001, Hawkes appeared on the second episode of ITV's documentary series Holiday Airport, which followed British holidaymakers as they passed through Palma Airport, Majorca. The episode resurfaced more than 20 years later on 13 March 2022, when it was uploaded to YouTube by ITV Studios' Our Stories channel.[3]
Hawkes returned to the media's attention with his involvement in Channel 4's The Games in March 2005, in which he won a Bronze Medal. He also took part in the ITV programme Hit Me Baby One More Time in April that year. He released a single called "Another Fine Mess" in May 2005, it reached number 48.[2] The following album of the same title featured fifteen songs written by Hawkes.[4]
Hawkes was involved in a project called the Lexus Symphony Orchestra, a corporate promotion designed to showcase the quality of Lexus' in-car audio systems. Hawkes composed two original pieces of music performed by the London Symphony Orchestra for these events held at Castle Howard and Crystal Palace, in August 2007.
Hawkes at the University of Exeter Summer Ball, 2008
Hawkes appeared in a musical, Can't Smile Without You (featuring songs of Barry Manilow). National tour started at the Liverpool Empire Theatre on 15 September 2008, prior to performances in the West End.[5]
Hawkes appeared briefly in a cherry picker on Celebrity Big Brother (shown on 8 January 2009) on Channel 4. "The One and Only" was used as a cue to have contestants worship at a Chesney Hawkes shrine.
Hawkes was due to take part on ITV's skating programme Dancing on Ice in 2012 but after fracturing his ankle, he had to pull out. He was replaced by Chico Slimani. In May, he played at Lakefest festival.[9] In December, he appeared as an accident-prone version of himself in the ITV comedy drama Panto!.
In 2014, Hawkes performed "The One and Only" with a flashmob dance group in the streets of Manchester to promote MyMate Loans.[10] In addition, he recorded a version of the song with different lyrics for a MyMate commercial.[11]
In 2015, Hawkes competed in Celebrity MasterChef on BBC One. He was eliminated in the first of the semi-finals of the show.[12]
In 2016, Hawkes was a guest on ITV'sLoose Women, with his parents in the audience. He spoke about the relief of his family, following a not guilty verdict of an alleged incident involving his father Chip, 48 years prior to Chip's Court appearance and charges dismissal. He also discussed his charitable work with The A21 Campaign.[13]
On 25 March 2022, Hawkes released the box set The Complete Picture: The Albums 1991–2012, which consists of five CDs and one DVD. In addition, he released the digital single "The One and Only (2022 Nik Kershaw Remix)".[14] In autumn 2022, he joined his father Chip and brother Jodie on the Sixties Gold Tour as part of the Tremeloes, becoming their singer for a series of dates around the UK.[15][16][17]
On 17 February 2024, Hawkes became the Unexpected Celebrity Star Star, of Michael McIntyre's Big Show Series 7, Episode 6, for BBC One. The elaborate stunt was set up with the help of his wife Kristina, that sees him perform his song, The One and Only to a live Theatre Royal, Drury Lane audience. Hawkes was greeted on stage by his band, which also featured his guitar playing son.[18][19][20]
Personal life
Hawkes married his American girlfriend, Kristina, on 4 July 1997. They have three children together and reside in Los Angeles,[21] having previously lived in Chertsey.[22]
Hawkes is a supporter of West Ham United FC.[23] Notable fans of Hawkes include entrepreneur Duncan Bannatyne, who was surprised with a performance from Hawkes at his 60th birthday party in 2009, and Talk TV chief political commentator Peter Cardwell.[24]
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"The One and Only" is the debut single of British singer and actor Chesney Hawkes. Written by Nik Kershaw, the single was released by Chrysalis Records in January 1991. Produced by Kershaw and Alan Shacklock, and recorded and mixed by Gareth Cousins, the song was featured in the 1991 film Buddy's Song which starred Hawkes as the eponymous Buddy and Roger Daltrey as his father. The film performed moderately well at the UK box office, but the song was a hit in that country's music charts, spending five weeks at number one on the UK Singles Chart in March and April 1991. Kershaw's influence can also be heard throughout the track not only in guitar style, but in the backing vocals on the intro and choruses, with Hawkes singing the verses.
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"I'm a Man Not a Boy" is the second single by British singer and actor Chesney Hawkes. Written by Hawkes, Nigel Hinton and John Wesley Harding, and produced by Alan Shacklock, it was released in June 1991 by Chrysalis and included in the 1991 film Buddy's Song, with Hawkes as Buddy and Roger Daltrey as his father. The single entered the UK Singles Chart at No. 37 and climbed to a peak position of No. 27 a week later, making it the second of two of Hawkes' singles to enter the top 40.
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Buddy's Song is the debut album by English singer and actor Chesney Hawkes, released in 1991 by Chrysalis Records. It serves as the soundtrack to the film of the same name and includes the UK number one single "The One and Only". The film's screenwriter Nigel Hinton contributed to the soundtrack by co-writing all but three songs in the UK release of the album. The album and film soundtrack were recorded and mixed entirely at Abbey Road Studios by engineer Gareth Cousins.
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Leonard Donald Stanley "Chip" Hawkes is an English musician. He is best known for being a member of the Tremeloes and for being the father of Chesney Hawkes.
References
↑ "One-Hit Wonders at the BBC". 1. 17 April 2015. BBC Four.
1 2 3 Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19thed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p.246. ISBN1-904994-10-5.
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