Chas Chandler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chas Chandler
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Chandler in 1964
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Bryan James Chandler |
| Also known as | Chas Chandler |
| Born | 18 December 1938 Heaton, Newcastle, England |
| Died | 17 July 1996 (aged 57) Newcastle, England |
| Genres | Rock, R&B, psychedelic rock |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, producer, A&R representative |
| Instruments | Bass, vocals |
| Years active | 1957–1996 |
Bryan James "Chas" Chandler (born December 18, 1938 – died July 17, 1996) was a talented English musician. He was also a record producer and a manager for other artists. Chas is best known as the original bass player for the famous band The Animals. He was even put into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 for his work with them.
After his time as a musician, Chas became a very important manager. He helped make stars out of bands like Slade and the legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix. People often interviewed him about Jimi Hendrix until Chas passed away in 1996.
Contents
Early Life and Music Beginnings
Chas Chandler was born in a place called Heaton, Newcastle, in England. After finishing school, he worked in the shipyards of Tyneside. But his real passion was music.
In 1962, he joined a group called The Alan Price Trio as their bass player. This was just the start of his amazing music career.
Chas Chandler's Music Career
Playing Bass with The Animals
When Eric Burdon joined The Alan Price Trio, the band changed its name to The Animals. Chas played the bass guitar and also sang backing vocals. He even helped write some songs with Eric Burdon.
One of his bass lines, the opening part of their 1965 hit song "We Gotta Get Out of This Place", became very famous. The Animals toured a lot, playing hundreds of shows every year. However, Chas felt they weren't earning much money despite their success. Because of this, he decided to leave the band in 1966.
The Animals Reunite
Chas Chandler joined The Animals for a short reunion in 1977. He played and recorded with the original band members.
He also reunited with them again in 1983. At that time, he sold his other businesses to focus only on being a musician. In 1994, Chas was there when The Animals were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Managing Jimi Hendrix and Slade
After leaving The Animals in 1966, Chas Chandler started looking for new talent. He wanted to manage and produce other artists. While on his last tour with The Animals, Chas saw an unknown musician named Jimi Hendrix play in a club in New York City. Jimi was performing as "Jimmy James" back then.
Chas was very impressed. In September, he convinced Jimi to come to Britain with him. Chas helped Jimi change his stage name back to Jimi Hendrix. He also helped form Jimi's new band, the Jimi Hendrix Experience, by finding bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell.
Chas was key to Jimi Hendrix's success. He even let Jimi live with him and paid for the band's first song, "Hey Joe," before they had a record deal. Chas also introduced Jimi to famous guitarist Eric Clapton. This led to Jimi playing with Eric's band, Cream, on stage.
It was Chas's idea for Jimi to set his guitar on fire during a concert. This made big news at a show in London and later at the famous Monterey Pop festival. Jimi's sound engineer, Eddie Kramer, said Chas was very involved in Jimi's first two albums. He called Chas Jimi's "mentor."
By 1968, Chas felt that recording Jimi's third album, Electric Ladyland, was taking too long. He decided to stop managing Jimi.
After Jimi, Chas managed and produced the British rock band Slade for 12 years. Under his guidance, Slade had six number one hit songs in the UK! Chas and Slade stopped working together in 1981.
Personal Life
Chas Chandler was a very tall man, standing at 6 feet 4 inches. He was married twice and had a son from his first marriage. With his second wife, Madeleine, he had another son and two daughters.
Death
Chas Chandler sadly passed away on July 17, 1996. He died from a problem with his heart called an aortic aneurysm in Newcastle General Hospital. This happened just a few days after he performed a solo show.
Honors and Legacy
- In May 2001, Chas Chandler was honored after his death. He was inducted into Hollywood's Rock Walk of Fame as a member of The Animals.
- His former home in Heaton, Newcastle, has a special blue plaque on the wall. It says: "Chas Chandler 1938–1996. Founder member of the 'Animals'. Manager of Jimi Hendrix & Slade. Co-founder of Newcastle Arena. Lived in this house 1938–1964."
Images for kids
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Chas Chandler in 1964
See also
In Spanish: Chas Chandler para niños
