Chesney Hawkes…Let’s talk.

Ok, I’ll get this out of the way from the get go.  Chesney Hawkes is my best friend.

There I said it.  Now let’s move on. 

Twenty one years ago I met him on the set of the film, Buddy’s Song.  A film so awful it never made it on to DVD. I played his best friend Julius. They dubbed my voice with an American accent in the hope that it would make the film more acceptable to American audiences.  Wow, there was some wishful thinking.  

Anyway, 21 years later Ches and I are still as thick as thieves.

Best men at each other’s weddings.  Godfather to each other’s daughters. Still in love with The White Album and all things The Beatles and Prince.

Anyway, enough of the bromance.  Here’s the thing.  I’ve never interviewed him, which is kinda weird, what with me being a journalist and all.  I figured never mix work and friendship but I’m stumped for a blog this month.  And as he’s working on his new album and could use/deserves a bit of publicity, I figured while killing time on a flight from New Orleans that I should do a quick fire interview with him.

Anyway, enough of my ramblings.  Here’s the interview. Enjoy.

PMcK: Your full name.

CH: Chesney Lee Hawkes

PMcK: Important things first. What football team do you support?

CH: You know very well, I am 'West Ham scum' (that's me quoting you)

PMcK: What was the first single you bought?

CH: Superstition (Stevie Wonder) followed by Ghostbusters...!

PMcK:  What was the best, and the worst moment of ‘The One and Only’ fame game.

CH: Best - The whole crazy ride. Worst - being dropped by my record label. It felt like I had lost everything. I never really told you that before, I guess I was trying to hide my depression about it at the time. Thank the Lord you were there to pick up the pieces.

PMcK: You made the front page of The Sun for cheating on your then girlfriend/co-star Lisa Walker for the daughter of hoofer Lionel Blair, Lucy Blair.  Regrets, you must have a few?

CH: I’m not normally one for regrets because I know that whatever we experience and have to endure in this life will make us what we are today and bring us to the truth, but that is something I do regret, even now. She didn't deserve that.

PMcK: What did you learn from all that heartthrob stuff and what advice would you give to One Direction?

CH: Well, at least they have each other. I always wanted to have success in a band situation. This is a difficult question, as I'm not sure One Direction really need or would want my advice, but I would tell them to take a step back and soak up the unique experience and don't believe your own hype. Stay close to your integrity and remember you are first and foremost a son, a brother, a friend and a human being, just like the rest of us. It's only entertainment after all!

PMcK: If you had to put a number on it, how many times would you say you have sung ‘The One and Only’.

CH: At least one too many

PMcK: (ahem, my biased question) A lot of people don’t know this. But you can play the guitar really well and you have a great voice.  Does it frustrate you that people judge you on all that ‘pop star’ stuff and won’t give you and your music a fair listen?

CH: It frustrates me that I can't just do my thing without preconceptions getting in the way. George Michael said it best, ‘Why not just listen without prejudice?’ I feel I have learned through this happening to me.  Consequently I’m not quick to judge anyone else.

PMcK: Talking about your music.  Quickly talk me through the new album.

CH: The album is called 'Real Life Love', a collection of songs very close to my heart spanning from one I wrote with my old mate Nik Kershaw back in ‘92 to songs written this year. I recorded the bare bones with my Nordic brothers in Oslo and have slowly been gathering generous and wonderful cameos on my travels from family and friends including my old man, Chip, my sister Keely and Curt Smith from Tears for Fears. I know all us artists say this, but I really think this is the best work I've ever done. I am truly proud of it.

PMcK: You love The Beatles and Prince, which I totally get.  But explain why you really like shit like Crowded House and Elvis Costello?

CH: Where would we be without diversity huh? (Not the dance act). Ok, Elvis is one of the greatest lyricists of our time, no question. We can argue that till the cows come home and probably will. I still don't really get Weller, sorry. I appreciate some of his work. That's Entertainment is genius, but he is a little hit and miss in my mind. Crowded House is a genre that you have never really embraced, Lord knows I've tried! At least I hit a home run with Van Morrison, James Taylor and World Party. You're welcome.

PMcK:  And finally, this one is personal.  We’ve had some incredible highs over the past 21 years and thankfully, very few lows.  Thinking back, what Macca/Ches moments bring a smile to your face.

CH: Holding hands at The Tunnel in NY (a gay House club in NY, it’s not what you think folks). Bass Clef hazes with Norman Jay MBE, Brits invasion in Indiana, Stag nights - Blackpool, Brighton, Prague (‘word up Homeboy!’) All our road trips over the years...Have I told you lately?

PMcK:  Chesney Hawkes, it’s been the very best of times.  

 CH: I second that emotion...Crazy, crazy, crazy love....

For more details on Chesney Hawkes’ new album head to here:

http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/chesneyhawkesreallifelove

Finally, Paul is reading ‘56’ a compelling story about Joe DiMaggio and baseball.  Paul is listening to Robin Thicke’s super soulful album, Love After War.

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