Chesney Lee Hawkes is an English pop singer, songwriter and occasional actor who is best known for his hit single “The One and Only”. His career began at the age of 19, when he won the starring role in the film “Buddy’s Song”, also starring Roger Daltrey of “The Who”, in which his one-hit single “The One and Only” was featured on the soundtrack. The film didn’t make it big, but the song, written by Nik Kershaw, was a huge success and topped the UK Singles Charts for five weeks straight and reached the top 10 in the United States.

His follow up single “I’m a Man Not a Boy” peaked at number 27 in the UK Charts, with subsequent singles including “What’s Wrong With This Picture?”, “Stay Away Baby Jane” and “Another Fine Mess” all of which charted in the top 100. As well as a music career, Chesney Hawkes also appeared on Channel 4’s “The Games” in 2005, coming third and receiving the Bronze Medal. Chesney has also appeared on the shows “Hit Me Baby One More Time”, “Let’s Dance For Comic Relief” and “Sing If You Can”. Chesney also took part in the musical “Can’t Smile Without You”, featuring the songs of Barry Manilow, as the role of Tony Lowiman.

Chesney Hawkes Growing Up

Chesney Hawkes was born on 22nd September 1971, he is originally from Windsor in Berkshire, England. His father, Len ‘Chip’ Hawkes, is the former lead singer of the 1960s band “The Tremeloes” known for their hit single “Silence Is Golden”. His mother, Carol Hawkes, previously Carol Dilworth, is a former actress and game-show hostess. Chesney’s brother, Jodie, was the drummer in his band and his sister, Keely Hawkes, was the lead singer the 1990s band “Transister” and is currently a songwriter based in Los Angeles.

Just a One and Only-Hit Wonder?

At just 19 years of age, Chesney Hawkes was thrown into the pinnacle of fame after his debut single, “The One and Only” became an overnight success, staying in the UK Top Charts for five weeks. Chesney adopted his new rockstar lifestyle, with his face appearing on the majority of teen magazines as well as on the bedroom walls of his loyal fans. Hawkes had some career highlights, but had the star peaked?

Unfortunately for Chesney, the title of his hit single turned out to be painfully accurate, because this very song was his one and only hit. At the tender age of 22, Hawkes heard the news that he was being dropped by his record label. Having already bought himself a house, a recording studio and every member of his family, a car, the star found himself struggling.

Time for a Change

Chesney, outgrown from the confines of teen idolism, decided to take off for the bright lights of New York and reinvent himself as a songwriter, something he had always admired his father for. He also did his best to rid himself of his squeaky-clean image. He grew his hair and stubble long and outright refused to perform “The One and Only” for seven years.

Finding His Voice

It was during this time that Chesney worked with numerous talented writers and producers, amongst them was Mark Goldenberg who co-wrote The Eel’s “Novocaine For The Soul”, Jesse Vellenswealla of The Gin Blossoms and Counting Crows producer Marvin Etzioni. Chesney also collaborated with Howard Jones, the Police’s Stuart Copland, Nik Kershaw and Bijou Phillips.

The English band “Hepburn” covered “Next Life”, which Chesney co-wrote with Phil Thornally and singer Caprice charted in March 2001 with “Once Around The Sun” which Chesney co-wrote with Eric Pressley. He has also collaborated with Tricky on his “Mission Accomplished” EP.

Chesney’s work also featured on the big screen. One of his songs “Almost You” was featured in the film “Jawbreaker” and his song “Missing You Already” was in the film “The Night We Never Met”.

Back in The Games

It was in 2002 that Chesney received a call from an agency asking whether he’d want to play at a couple of student events. At first he did not want to take part, he thought students wouldn't remember him, but he couldn’t imagine how wrong he was!

Chesney ultimately accepted the offer and when walking out on stage nervously, was greeted by some 3000 fans going crazy for him! Due to the popularity of the event he then went on to perform at student gigs in Nottingham, Leeds, Lincoln, Hull and Middlesbrough. This then led to him performing at thousands of gigs around the world. Chesney is grateful that people seem to be admiring “The One And Only” as more of a cult record rather than just another one hit wonder.

Chesney Hawkes - A Legend In His Own Right

Gradually, Chesney has rebuilt his public profile, appearing on reality TV shows such as Channel 4’s “The Games”, “Sing If You Can”, and “Hit Me Baby, One More Time”, he also toured in Bill Kenwright’s musical “Can’t Smile Without You”, featuring the songs of Barry Manilow.

Chesney also appeared on “Top Ten Teen Idols” (Channel 4), “Banzai” (Channel 4) and “Question of Pop” (BBC1).

Chesney Today

Chesney hasn’t forgotten where he came from though, he still writes and produces music from his home recording studio and is currently working on his next album. Now 49 years old, Chesney lives in Chertsey, South West London, along with his American wife Kristina and their three children: Sons, Casey. Jesse, and daughter, Indiana.

Today, people around the world will have heard Chesney’s single that made him a star, the music video for “The One and Only” on YouTube has got over 2 million views and is still played on a daily basis by fans across the globe. But Chesney hasn’t let his ‘one hit wonder’ define him.

He agrees that it definitely taught him some huge life lessons, one being not to splash all your money! - A life lesson he will be sharing with his children. While his career has ultimately had its highs and its lows, Chesney seems happy and content with where his life is today, doing what he loves doing most, writing music and being with his family.

Even though his career in the limelight as a Top Charts pop star was somewhat short-lived, it is clear that he is so much more than just a one-hit wonder.… show more