Australia's entertainment industry was in mourning today for former Crowded House drummer Paul Hester who hanged himself in a Melbourne park. language is not acceptable, Do not impersonate other users or reveal private information about third parties, We reserve the right to delete inappropriate posts and ban offending users without notification, -1) ? Hester lived in Melbourne and is survived by his partner Mardi Sommerfeld and two young daughters. He often produced and played on records that were made in his studio, the Lodge, and he worked as part of the Fez, the Largest Living Thing and Tarmac Adam (with Nick Seymour). He also had one sister, Carolyn. Afterglow, was released in 2000. (age 46) they can to create a true meeting of independent Premium. January 8, 'active' : ''"> will be published daily in dedicated articles. Personal Details Born. His body was later found hanging from a tree in a park near his home in the southern city of Melbourne and was believed to have "attempted suicide" and suffered strangulation. 2005 Favorite Heath Ledger Performance (Besides The Joker), Elsternwick, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, M.I.A. The Finn brothers decided to write an album together, but this was abandoned when Tim instead joined Crowded House and they released the album "Better Be Home Soon", was the most successful track, but was an attempt to replicate "Don't Dream It's Over". try again, the name must be unique, Please 6: He was in a relationship with … Crowded House had their only UK Top Ten entry in 1992 with the sparkling, Sixties pop sound of "Weather With You". continue to respect all commenters and create constructive debates. Newest first, -1) ? He also had one sister, Carolyn. Paul Hester family: Mardi Sommerfield (ex- partner) (photographer) Paul Hester friends: Neil Finn (musician), Nick Seymour (musician), Timm Finn (musician) Paul Hester favorite band(s)? He had two daughters from his relationship with ex-long-time partner, Mardi Sommerfeld. Hitfix ", No hype, just the advice and analysis you need, Register with your social account or click here to log in. try again, the name must be unique, Please to your comment. Moving to Sydney in 1975, they became Split Enz. Want to discuss real-world problems, be involved in the most engaging discussions and hear from the journalists? The whole band wrote "Kare Kare" and Hester's drumming was showcased in "Skin Feeling". The existing Open Comments threads will continue to exist for those who do not subscribe to Quit Crowded House in 1994, when the pressure of touring finally got to him, as well as the birth of his first child. At the 2016 Census Elsternwick had a population of 10,349. Officers who discovered his body declared him dead more than 20 minutes later. Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, March 26, Are you sure you want to mark this comment as inappropriate? Oldest first, -1) ? The drummer's body was later found in a park near his home in the southern city of Melbourne. and Korn lead July 13 new music releases in a slow summer week, Spring Break '87 Concert Starring Crowded House. Hester was found dead on Saturday in a park near his home in Melbourne, having apparently committed suicide. Woodface itself spent 86 weeks on the UK chart and although the album was dominated by the Finns' songs, Hester's own romantic "Italian Plastic" did not sound out of place. Woodface (1991). Guidelines. Your email address will not be published. Newest first, -1) ? ISBN 0 7329 0886 8. Paul Hester, the drummer and backing vocalist with Split Enz and then Crowded House, was in that mould. He failed to return home after taking his two dogs for a walk on the night of March 25, 2005. Paul Newell Hester, drummer: born Melbourne, Victoria 8 January 1959; (two daughters with Mardi Sommerfeld); died Melbourne c26 March 2005. Neil Finn settled in Los Angeles, along with Hester and a bass player, Nick Seymour. Community Paul's body was found on Saturday 26th. Hessie's Shed and then with a cable show on Music Max, Advertisement The world's defining voice in music and pop culture since 1952. He also had one sister, Carolyn. Hester said at the time, "I'm not used to all this playing. Enter your email to follow new comments on this article. A subsequent album of B-sides and outtakes, Elsternwick, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 12 July 2010 He was 46. At the time Hester said, "I just thought, 'How could you do that to a kid and a girl?' Crowded House was touring the US in April 1994 when the news came of Kurt Cobain's suicide. Capitol wanted to establish the band with an up-tempo single but soon realised that the wistful "Don't Dream It's Over" was a better choice (the recording was even slowed down for release). He had two daughters from his relationship with ex-long-time partner, Mardi Sommerfeld. After playing in local bands as a teenager, he formed the band Cheks and in 1982 they moved to Sydney renaming themselves Deckchairs Overboard. Our journalists will try to respond by joining the threads when 6: He was in a relationship with New Zealand … He was born in Melbourne, Australia in 1959. Writer | I have lost one of my best mates," he told Australia's Hester had also parted ways with longtime partner Mardi Sommerfeld, the mother of his two daughters. Hester enjoyed family life with his girlfriend, the photographer Mardi Sommerfeld, and his two daughters, and he opened a tea house in Elwood Beach, Melbourne. Hester suggested that the band should work for just six months in the year, but could not persuade the others. Then, another Melbourne drummer, Peter Jones, joined the band. Hessie. 'active' : ''"> Oldest first, -1) ? Hester tried his very best to live ... His time in Crowded House is described in detail in "Something So Strong" by Chris Bourke. Paul Hester, 46, failed to return home after taking his two dogs for a walk on Friday night. Hester later commented, "I thought, 'It's just for a bloody record, should this be happening?' He had two daughters from his relationship with ex-long-time partner, Mardi Sommerfeld. and Korn lead July 13 new music releases in a slow summer week. M.I.A. There is an old saying in show business "The Show Must Go On". Temple of Low Men (1988), was moodier and more reflective. The most insightful comments on all subjects In 1977 Tim Finn's younger brother, Neil, joined the group and soon matured into a commercial songwriter. However, during their 1993 tour stress took its toll on Hester. In 1972 Tim Finn had founded a quirky group, Split Ends, in Auckland, New Zealand. It allows our most engaged readers to debate the big issues, share their own experiences, discuss try again, the name must be unique, Please "Don't Dream It's Over" reached No 27 in the UK and almost topped the US charts, and was followed by a US Top Ten success, "Something So Strong". Log in to update your newsletter preferences, Monday - Friday plus breaking news alerts by email. Most liked, -1) ? Published by Pan Macmillan Australia, Sydney, 1997. The second Crowded House album, Are you sure you want to delete this comment? The band had fun with "Sister Madly", an up-tempo song which Hester would play with just a snare and a cymbal at the front of the stage. | real-world solutions, and more. Paul Newell Hester January 8, 1959 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. His father, Mulga Mike Hester, was a bushman and his mother Ann a jazz drummer, who encouraged him to play. The Brixton producer Youth found it difficult to settle and the band suffered internal friction. Want an ad-free experience?Subscribe to Independent Premium. Due to the sheer scale of this comment community, we are not able to give each post You can find our Community Guidelines in full here. Short Biography. We couldn't fight against Paul's moods, but we could find a new drummer and do a good show, just to show the bastard.". He sadly took his own life at age 46 after suffering from depression for a number of years. Tim Finn left Crowded House in 1993 and was replaced by Mark Hart, a multi-instrumentalist from Supertramp. Your email address will not be published. Paul Hester, the drummer and backing vocalist with Split Enz and then Crowded House, was in that mould. Required fields are marked *. 1959 Please Neil Finn told Sharing the full story, not just the headlines. His time in Crowded House is described in detail in "Something So Strong" by Chris Bourke. Briefly played drums for Split Enz, in the early to mid 80s. 'active' : ''"> March 26, 2005 – Paul Hester (Crowded House) was born on January 8th 1959 in Melbourne, Australia.His mother a jazz drummer, encouraged him at an early age to learn the drums. try again, the name must be unique, Please He had two daughters from his relationship with ex-long-time partner, Mardi Sommerfeld. I have lost one of my best mates," he told Australia's Hester had also parted ways with longtime partner Mardi Sommerfeld, the mother of his two daughters. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Crowded House (1986), featured several excellent folk-influenced rock numbers. He later formed a relationship with photographer Mardi Sommerfeld and they had two daughters Olive and Sunday. the same level of attention, but we have preserved this area in the interests of open debate. ... Mardi Sommerfeld. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. As demonstrated by Keith Moon of the Who, the drummer at the back of a rock band can be a front man in his own right. Elsternwick is an inner suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 9 km south-east of Melbourne's central business district. Hester auditioned for Split Enz in 1983 and became the group's last drummer before they disbanded in December 1984. Crowded House. Paul Newell Hester I've been gardening for the last couple of years." For the following two years, Crowded House had a chequered history and then both Tim Finn and Paul Hester rejoined them for a final free concert for 150,000 fans in front of Sydney Opera House in November 1996. Capricorn. Crowded House had to persuade Wally Ingram (who was playing for the support act, Sheryl Crow) to be a temporary replacement. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Independent Premium Comments can be posted by members of our membership scheme, Independent Premium. There is an old saying in show business "The Show Must Go On". Producer. Died. Nickname. He was extrovert and charismatic on stage and he was a natural mimic and comedian, preferring not to give sensible interviews. Create a commenting name to join the debate. Paul Newell Hester (January 8, 1959 - March 26, 2005) was the drummer of Split Enz and Crowded House. He was in a relationship with New Zealand singer Kashan for two years from 2002-2004. See photos of celebrities like Scarlett Johansson and Leonardo DiCaprio before they hit the big-time, and revisit their earliest onscreen roles. Are you sure you want to submit this vote? The album was recorded in New Zealand at a secluded beach, Kare Kare, and the musicians included a Maori choir and log drummers. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. 'active' : ''"> " A few days later, when the band was in Atlanta, Hester, suffering from a migraine, said that he would complete the show and leave. Arguably, Crowded House made their most artistically successful album that year with Together Alone, but it took its toll upon the band. 5: His father, Mulga Mike Hester, was a legendary bushman and his mother, Ann, a jazz drummer. He became a television personality in Australia with