Paul Hester
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.
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.
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 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 humorous 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.
He had two daughters with photographer
Mardi Sommerfield. 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.
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). 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.
Hester was laid to rest in country Victoria at Blackwood, and his spirit is held warm in the hearts of all he touched with his joy and humour.
His life was commemorated at the 2005 [[Australian Recording Industry Association|Aria]] 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.
In July 2006, a former girlfriend,
Kashan Vincent, sued Hester's estate, claiming a third of his net estate alongside shares to be given to his daughters aged six and 11. The pair had a relationship for 32 months and while not co-habiting, according to Vincent were engaged but called off the marriage. Hester's circle of friends, surprised when Vincent spoke to a tabloid magazine soon after his death, were further saddened by the action.
*
R.I.P. Paul Hester (Paul Cashmere,
Undercover,
26 March 2005)
*
Hessie's Shed*
Famous for Sixteen Minutes - archives -
Peter Green's online diary
*
Photo* 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
