Paul Hester

For the United States Air Force general, see Paul V. Hester.

Paul Newell Hester (8 January 1959 – 26 March 2005) was an Australian musician and television personality. He was the drummer for the band Split Enz for their last year together from December 1983 to December 1984, and co-founding member and drummer of the band Crowded House.

Paul Hester
Hester in a Crowded House photoshoot
Background information
Birth name	Paul Newell Hester
Also known as	Hessie
Born	(1959-01-08)8 January 1959 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Died	26 March 2005(2005-03-26) (aged 46) Brighton, Victoria, Australia
Genres	Rock, pop rock, jangle pop, indie rock, alternative rock, new wave
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instrument(s)	Drums, percussion, vocals, keyboards
Years active	1976–2005

Early years

Hester was the elder of two children (his younger sister is Carolyn). He was born in Melbourne, Victoria, the son of a bushman father and jazz drummer mother.^[1] At an early age he was encouraged by his mother to play drums. His extrovert personality did not impress his teachers, and he left school early and attempted various jobs before starting a musical career.^[1] He spent most of his teen years living in the Dandenong Ranges, the family home being on the edge of Sherbrooke Forest at the Sherbrooke/Kallista boundary. Some of the Melbourne bands he played in from 1976 to 1978 included Thunder and Edges. In 1979 he co-founded a Melbourne-based band called Cheks^[2] (renamed Deckchairs Overboard when they moved to Sydney in 1982).

He lived with Deborah Conway of Do-Ré-Mi during the early 1980s,^[3] while playing regularly in Love Party.^[4] Hester later worked with Conway in Rose Amongst Thorns (1990–1991) and Ultrasound (1995).^[5]

Split Enz and Crowded House

Split Enz

At the departure of drummer Mal Green from Split Enz in 1981, their percussionist Noel Crombie took up the role of drummer. After the release of the Enz album Time and Tide in 1982, the band took a break to focus on other projects. According to the radio documentary Enzology, when they reformed in mid-1983, both Finn brothers returned somewhat distracted. Tim Finn had just released the very successful solo album Escapade, while younger brother Neil Finn had a child on the way.

The reunion resulted in Conflicting Emotions (November 1983), an album which marked the beginning of the end for the band. Before the tour to support the album it was decided that Crombie would return to percussion (something he says he enjoyed more than drumming), and the band would find a new drummer. Hester was auditioned on the advice of Rob Hirst of Midnight Oil and got the job. In June 1984, founder Tim Finn left Split Enz, and they released See Ya 'Round in November which included "This is Massive" which was written by Hester. When Split Enz disbanded in December, Hester and Neil Finn decided to start a new group.

Crowded House

Initially, the new band formed by Hester and Neil Finn was named "The Mullanes" and then underwent a few name changes. They recruited Nick Seymour to play bass guitar and Craig Hooper on guitar,^[5] Hooper left as they secured a recording contract with Capitol Records in the US. However, Capitol disliked the name and the band changed to Crowded House to record their debut eponymous album, Crowded House in 1986.^[5] Other records by Crowded House with Hester are: Temple of Low Men (1988), Woodface (1991), Together Alone (1993), and the Best-of collection Recurring Dream (1996).

By 1993, Hester was frustrated by the demands of his career and suffered a phobia about leaving to go on tour. On his return to Australia that year, he started to see a psychiatrist.^[6] He remained with Crowded House until 1994,^[5] when the pressure of touring and the birth of his first daughter made him want to stay home, rather than remain on the road. Hester left mid-way through a 1994 tour of America, forcing the band to recruit British drummer Peter Jones for the rest of the tour. Hester performed with Crowded House at the band's farewell concert on the forecourt of the Sydney Opera House in 1996.^[7] As of 2021, Crowded House have sold well over 20 million albums. In November 2016, the band and all of its original members (including Hester) were inducted into the ARIA Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.^[8]

After Crowded House

Towards the end of his time with Crowded House, Paul produced The Holy Toledos' second album, "Blood", and played drums on its first single. It was on his recommendation the band was picked up by Sony.

After leaving Crowded House, Hester appeared on many TV and radio shows in Australia and opened a cafe/restaurant named Beach House Cafe with fellow Melbourne musician Joe Camilleri in Elwood Beach in Melbourne. From 1995 until 1998, Hester appeared regularly on the popular Australian radio show Martin/Molloy. He collaborated with John Clifforth, a former Deckchairs Overboard bandmate and long time friend, in the early 2000's on Craven's Pharmacy where he played drums and instruments on multiple songs.^[9][10] He played drums as a session musician for producer Richard Pleasance. One of his final recordings was Sophie Koh's debut album All the Pretty Boys.

Hester also briefly worked with the popular Australian children's music group The Wiggles in 1998, playing drums on their album Toot Toot! and making a guest appearance on their video Yummy Yummy as Paul the Cook.^[11]

Largest Living Things

Hester later became involved in a new band called Largest Living Things (1997–2000),^[5] with Kevin Garant on guitar and Barry Stockley on bass, performing with members of rock groups Crowded House, Split Enz, Midnight Oil, and others. Largest Living Things released a few EPs in Australia featuring songs written and sung by Hester; in contrast to his previous work in Crowded House, Hester played guitar as well as drums. The Largest Living Things featured on Mick Molloy's controversial 1999 TV show The Mick Molloy Show, with Hester as bandleader. Hester formed Tarmac Adam with Crowded House's Nick Seymour and Matt O'Donnell, Sean McVitty and Steve Paix in 2001.^[5]

Hessie's Shed

In 1998, Hester hosted his own 10-part TV series Hessie's Shed on Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).^[12] This show gave Hester the room to explore his humorous presenter skills, showcase some friends, reunite with friends from Crowded House, and play with the house band, Largest Living Things, with Hester now performing from behind the drums and on the guitar.^[13][14]

The MAX Sessions

Hester went on to host the intimate concerts The MAX Sessions. Broadcast on MAX, these intimate concerts, which were mainly recorded at the Sydney Opera House, featured a variety of local and international acts. A highlight of the show's concerts saw Hester reunite with former bandmates Neil Finn and Tim Finn for a few songs, backing them on drums, while they were promoting their album Everyone Is Here.

Personal life

Hester was in a relationship with Deborah Conway from Do-Re-Mi in the early 1980s.^[3] He later formed a relationship with photographer Mardi Sommerfeld and they had two daughters Olive and Sunday. They lived in the suburb of Elwood in Melbourne, Victoria.^[15]

Death and commemorations

On 26 March 2005, aged 46, Hester hanged himself at Elsternwick Park in Brighton, Melbourne, near his home.^[3] Four years earlier he had split from Mardi Sommerfeld. His two daughters, Olive and Sunday, were aged 5 and 10 at the time of his death.^[16] A few years before his death Hester's mother became ill, and died in 2003.^{[citation needed]} It was known to family and close friends that he had been suffering from depression for a few years prior to his passing, and was prone to mood swings.^[11]

Hester was buried at Blackwood in the Central Highlands region of Victoria. His life was commemorated at the 2005 Aria Awards, with Neil Finn singing the staple Crowded House anthem solo "Better Be Home Soon" along^[17] with a mini-biography and footage from his life and achievements.

In October 2005, in memory of Hester and to acknowledge his long links with the area, the local Port Phillip Council agreed to name a path alongside the Elwood Canal, the Paul Hester Walk, after him. More recently, Hester Street in the Melbourne suburb of Officer was named after him.^[18][19]

Hester's girlfriend at the time of his death was New Zealand-based singer Kashan Vincent.^[20] In July 2006, Vincent sued his estate, claiming a third of his net worth.^[21] Vincent claimed the pair had a relationship for 32 months and, while not cohabiting, were engaged, but had called off their wedding. By May 2007, the lawsuit was resolved out of court, with Vincent receiving a payout, and Hester's two daughters named as the sole beneficiaries of their father's estate.^[22]

In 2007, a reformed Crowded House dedicated its album Time on Earth to Hester.

References

1. Laing, Dave (29 March 2005). "Paul Hester". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
2. Dwyer, Michael (10 June 2011). "Good medicine in mateship: John Clifforth's new album draws on his friendship with the late Paul Hester". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
3. Ellingsen, Peter (3 April 2005). "Something so wrong". The Age. John Fairfax Holdings. ISSN 0312-6307. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
4. Harris, Anna (30 January 2004). . Archived from the original on 14 May 2006. Retrieved 19 July 2007.
5. Holmgren, Magnus. . passagen.se. Australian Rock Database (Magnus Holmgren). Archived from the original on 11 January 2012. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
6. Paul Hester profile, smh.com.au, 28 March 2005; accessed 8 January 2016.
7. "Paul Hester". The Independent. 8 October 2011. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
8. Brandle, Lars (4 September 2016). "Crowded House to Be Inducted into ARIA Hall of Fame". Billboard. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
9. "Craven's Pharmacy". Amazon Music. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
10. "Craven's Pharmacy by John Clifforth". Bandcamp. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
11. Harris, Chris (28 March 2005). "Crowded House drummer Paul Hester found dead in Australia". MTV. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
12. Hessie's Shed details, IMDb.com; accessed 8 January 2016.
13. "Largest Living Things + Hessie's Shed". George Servanis Music. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
14. "TV: From a Crowded House to a shed full of fun". NZ Herald. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
15. "Wave of sadness after Hester hangs himself – Music – www.smh.com.au". smh.com.au. 28 March 2005. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
16. "Simple tribute for Hester – Music – www.smh.com.au". smh.com.au. 30 March 2005. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
17. "Missy cleans up with five ARIAs – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)". ABC News. 23 October 2005. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
18. "Hester Walk to immortalise musician". The Age. 5 October 2005. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
19. "Section of park to be named after Crowded House drummer". abc.net.au. 25 October 2005. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
20. "Singer seeks portion of Hester estate – National – theage.com.au". theage.com.au. 20 July 2006. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
21. "Singer seeks portion of Hester estate". The Age. Melbourne, Australia: Fairfax Media. 20 July 2006. Retrieved 9 February 2008.
22. "Hester payout" (PDF). The Press, Christchurch, New Zealand. 3 May 2007. Retrieved 27 October 2008.

Further reading

• Chunn, Mike, Stranger Than Fiction: The Life and Times of Split Enz, GP Publications, 1992. ISBN 1-86956-050-7
• Chunn, Mike, Stranger Than Fiction: The Life and Times of Split Enz, (revised, ebook edition), Hurricane Press, 2013. ISBN 978-0-9922556-3-3
• Bourke, Chris, Something So Strong, Macmillan Australia, 1997, ISBN 0-7329-0886-8
• Twomey, Chris & Doole, Kerry, Crowded House: Private Universe, Omnibus Pr, 1998, ISBN 0-7119-4816-X
• Dix, John, Stranded in Paradise: New Zealand Rock and Roll, 1955 to the Modern Era, Penguin Books, 2005, ISBN 0-14-301953-8

External links

• Paul Hester at Find a Grave
• "Vale Paul Hester" from The Age