Alvin Stardust facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alvin Stardust
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Alvin Stardust in 1974
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Bernard William Jewry |
| Also known as | Shane Fenton |
| Born | 27 September 1942 Muswell Hill, London, England |
| Died | 23 October 2014 (aged 72) Ifold, West Sussex, England |
| Genres | Glam rock, rock and roll, pop |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1960–2014 |
Bernard William Jewry (1942–2014) was a famous English singer and actor. He was known by two stage names: Shane Fenton and later Alvin Stardust.
In the 1960s, he had some success as Shane Fenton. But he became much more famous in the 1970s and 1980s as Alvin Stardust. This was during the glam rock music time. His big hits included "Jealous Mind", which was a number one song in the UK. He also had popular songs like "Pretend" and "I Feel Like Buddy Holly".
Contents
Early Life and Music Beginnings
Bernard William Jewry was born on September 27, 1942, in Muswell Hill, London. When he was young, his family moved to Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. His mother ran a boarding house where musicians and entertainers often stayed.
Bernard went to school at Southwell Minster Collegiate Grammar School. He first performed on stage in a pantomime play when he was only four years old.
Becoming Shane Fenton
In the early 1960s, Bernard was a roadie for a band called Shane Fenton and the Fentones. The band's singer, whose real name was Johnny Theakston, sadly passed away.
The band was about to break up, but then they got an invitation from the BBC to audition. Johnny's mother asked the band to stay together to honor her son. So, Bernard Jewry joined the band and took on the stage name Shane Fenton.
The band had a few hit songs in the UK. These included "I'm A Moody Guy", "Walk Away", "It's All Over Now", and their biggest hit, "Cindy's Birthday". They released these songs with Parlophone Records.
Bernard also appeared in a few movies. He was in Play It Cool (1962) and It's All Happening (1963).
Becoming Alvin Stardust
After the Fentones band broke up, Bernard Jewry took a break from the spotlight for about ten years. He worked in music management and performed in smaller places.
The Glam Rock Era
In the early 1970s, he created a new character called Alvin Stardust. This was a way to join the popular glam rock music style. The Alvin Stardust character wore a black leather outfit and had sideburns. He looked a bit like another rocker named Vince Taylor.
The name Alvin Stardust was given to him by Peter Shelley, who started Magnet Records. Peter Shelley actually wrote and sang the first Alvin Stardust song, "My Coo Ca Choo". But he didn't want to perform live. So, Bernard Jewry was asked to take over the role.
Bernard became Alvin Stardust just in time to perform "My Coo Ca Choo" on the TV show Top of the Pops.
Stardust's Big Hits
After that, Bernard Jewry sang all the Alvin Stardust songs. He had more chart successes with hits like "Jealous Mind" (which was number one in the UK), "You, You, You", "Red Dress", and "Good Love Can Never Die".
Alvin Stardust was also part of a road safety campaign for children in 1976. He taught kids how to look both ways before crossing the road.
Later Career and Acting
In 1981, his song "Pretend" was a big hit in the UK, reaching number four. It even reached number one in the Netherlands.
Alvin Stardust was a special guest on the Morecambe & Wise Christmas Show in 1981.
In 1984, his songs "I Feel Like Buddy Holly" and "I Won't Run Away" both reached number 7 in the UK charts. "So Near To Christmas" was also a minor hit that year.
He took part in A Song for Europe in 1985. This was the UK competition to choose a song for the Eurovision Song Contest. His song was "The Clock on the Wall", and he finished in third place.
In 1986, he sang a duet called "I Hope and I Pray" with Sheila Walsh. He also performed at Windsor Castle in a musical called Cricket.
Stage and TV Roles
Alvin Stardust also had a successful acting career. He starred in the UK tour of Godspell. He played Uriah Heep in David Copperfield – The Musical. He also played Sir Billy Butlin in The Butlin Story at the London Palladium. In 2005, he played the Child Catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the London Palladium.
He appeared on television many times. In 1989, he even hosted his own children's TV show on ITV called It's Stardust. The show featured stories, songs, jokes, and cartoons.
In 1995, he joined the TV show Hollyoaks. He played the character Greg Andersen until 1996.
In 2011, Alvin Stardust returned to the stage as a singer. He performed at the Arts Guild Theatre in Greenock.
Personal Life
Alvin Stardust was married three times. His first wife was Iris Caldwell. His second wife was the actress Liza Goddard. They had a daughter named Sophie. At the time of his death, he was married to actress and choreographer Julie Paton.
He had two sons and two daughters. One of his sons is the drum and bass music producer Adam F.
Death
Alvin Stardust passed away at home on October 23, 2014, after a short illness. He was 72 years old. His funeral was held in Swansea. He had been diagnosed with prostate cancer 18 months earlier. His death came just weeks before he was going to release his first album in 30 years.
Discography
- The Untouchable (1973)
- Alvin Stardust (1974)
- Rock with Alvin (1975)
- A Picture of You (1983)
- I Feel Like... Alvin Stardust (1984)
- Alvin (2014, released after his death)
- Behind the Wheel (2021, released after his death)
See also
In Spanish: Alvin Stardust para niños
