Jonathan Hellyer

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Jonathan Hellyer
Hellyer in 2013.png
Hellyer in 2013
Background information
Birth nameJonathan Paul Hellyer
Born (1967-09-27) 27 September 1967 (age 57)
England
Occupation(s)Singer, director and drag actor
Instrument(s) Vocals, Finger snapping and dancing

Jonathan Paul Hellyer (born 27 September 1967) is an English singer, theatre director and drag actor. He is best known for his time as the lead singer of Bronski Beat and collaborations with Wayne G.

Contents

Early life

Hellyer was born on 27 September 1967 [1] and began his career as a drag queen and playing roles in theatrical productions in the 1980s.

Hellyer in 1989 as the lead singer of Bronski Beat Jonathan Hellyer in 1989.png
Hellyer in 1989 as the lead singer of Bronski Beat

Music career

Joining Bronski Beat

Hellyer joined the band, Bronski Beat following the departure of John Jon Foster and toured the U.S. and Europe with back-up vocalist Annie Conway, primarily touring nightclubs and LGBTQ festivals/events. They released the album, One More Chance and covered the songs, "I Love the Nightlife" by Alicia Bridges and "I'm Gonna Run Away from You" by Tami Lynn.

Collaboration with Eartha Kitt

In 1989, Bronski Beat wrote and collaborated with American-singer Eartha Kitt, on the song "Cha Cha Heels" which was written for Divine but following her death, Bronski Beat and Kitt performed the song with Hellyer on backing vocals. Despite making it to the charts, it was only a minor hit reaching #34 on the charts. [2] The song was Hellyer's only big hit throughout his career.

Steve Bronski (left) and Jonathan Hellyer (right) in 1989 Jonathan Hellyer with Steve Bronski in 1989.png
Steve Bronski (left) and Jonathan Hellyer (right) in 1989

Hellyer recorded additional material with Bronski Beat for the next few years and performed at events around Europe and America. [3] [4] [5]

Later work and first departure

Hellyer was an active member of the Nightingale Club, a gay bar in Birmingham. He was also a regular performer there in 1993. He did the voice announcements for the club and portrayed Dame Edna Everage during performances at the club too. Additionally he helped with organising charity event nights for the Birmingham AIDS Trust. After working with Eartha Kitt, Hellyer and Bronski Beat continued to collaborate until 1994. [6] [7] [8] Hellyer provided the lead and backing vocals on the album Rainbow Nation which was a collection of both old and new songs. The songs that Hellyer provided lead vocals on included covers of "Hit That Perfect Beat" and "Why" from the Age of Consent album and the songs including "Kickin' up the Rain", "No Difference" and "Tell Me Your Name". [9] Hellyer recorded a few more minor songs before departing the band in 1994.

Hellyer in 1994, performing with Bronski Beat Hellyer Performing Live in 1994 with Bronski Beat in America.png
Hellyer in 1994, performing with Bronski Beat

Brief return and disbandment of Bronski Beat

Following Hellyer's departure in 1994, John Jon Foster was brought back briefly as the lead singer of Bronski Beat but ultimately dropped out in 1995 and was once more replaced by Hellyer but not long after, Steve Bronski decided to fold the band overall following the lack of success with newer material.

Recent works

Hellyer has performed and composed with artists including Trish O'Brien and the KBL Band. [10] [11] Hellyer appeared in productions of the Dame Edna Experience [12] based on the television show. [13] [14] Hellyer has worked with Australian DJ Wayne G. [15] [16]

Additionally, Hellyer has also performed in a variety of shows around London since 2013, mostly doing live performances or drag shows while also singing cover songs and his own. [17] [18] Hellyer also continues to do performances as Dame Edna around the United Kingdom and the Royal Vauxhall Tavern in London. [19] [20] [21]

Vocal style and praise

Hellyer has a keening, falsetto like Jimmy Somerville, can hold notes and has a strong vocal range when singing. [22] In an interview, Steve Bronski praised Hellyer's vocal style and said that he "was a perfect imitator. He could imitate Jimmy, he could imitate Jon Jon. He could intimidate you." [23] Hellyer has been praised for his work in the drag show industry. [24] [25]

Personal life

Hellyer is openly gay and produces, directs and stars in drag shows and songs with lesser-known artists/bands. [26] [27] He took part in the Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens at the Shaw Theatre in 2010. He also revealed in an interview that same year he is not a fan of modern comedies nor the Gavin & Stacey series or James Corden, the creator and actor in the series. Hellyer compared Corden to having Syphilis. [28]

Discography

Source: [29]

With Bronski Beat

With Wayne G

Solo projects

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References

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  27. reporter, Mike Boehm Mike Boehm is a former arts; Times, pop music critic for the Los Angeles (31 December 1988). "POP MUSIC REVIEW : Singer Adds Luster to New Bronski Duo". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
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