Chesney Hawkes

Nik Kershaw Nik Kershaw’s first single ‘I Won't Let The Sun Go Down’ was released in 1983, initially reaching No. 47 in the UK charts, then No. 2 when re-released the following summer. ‘Wouldn't It Be Good’ followed in January 1984, staying at No. 4 in the UK charts for five weeks and breaking Kershaw worldwide. His seminal debut album, Human Racing, achieved platinum sales in many territories and he also squeezed in another platinum album and top 10 hit ‘The Riddle’ before the end of the year. 1985 saw more top 10 singles with ‘Wide Boy’ and ‘Don Quixote’, tours of Europe, Canada, Australia, the States and Japan, and an appearance at Live Aid. He recorded two more albums, Radio Musicola and The Works before temporarily leaving the spotlight in 1989 to focus on songwriting and production. Most notably, he penned and co-produced the ubiquitous ‘The One and Only’ for Chesney Hawkes. Returning to making his own records, he has released many new albums of original material, the latest being Oxymoron in 2020, which was recorded at Abbey Road Studios and has been reviewed as “all killer, no filler - bright and uplifting”. Kershaw has attracted praise from legends including Elton John, Eric Clapton and Miles Davis, and has been nominated for four Brit Awards. He continues to write and record (his own projects and for film and TV) and perform his songs all over the world. What they said “The best songwriter of a generation” – Sir Elton John “A great night of classy music and enjoyable nostalgia” – movingtheriver.com, review from Shepherd’s Bush Empire, 2024 Chesney Hawkes With his era-defining smash hit ‘The One and Only’, Chesney Hawkes was one of the UK’s biggest pop stars of the ‘90s. Three decades on, he’s kick-starting a new stage in his career and introducing himself to new audiences with the singles ‘Get A Hold Of Yourself’ and ‘Live Forever’ from the 2025 album Living Arrows – his first new music for more than a decade. Played regularly on BBC Radio 2, the songs are a bold reintroduction to his talents, setting him on the path to a long overdue next chapter. Chesney’s new material sees him working with Ed Sheeran’s long-term collaborator and Grammy nominee Jake Gosling, as well as once again teaming up with his ‘dear ol’ pal’ Nik Kershaw. What they said “Hawkes is welcomed on stage like someone coming back to their hometown after defeating the champion – the love for the Windsor warrior hasn’t waned” – Gigslutz “Living Arrows is Chesney at his most vulnerable… Combined with his heartfelt, candid style of songwriting, the album’s cohesive pop-rock sound creates what is not only his greatest work to date, but also the most authentic representation of the man behind the artist” – Mark Millar, XS Noize