Chesney Hawkes may well be known to most mainly for the one and only song, “The One And Only”, but there is a lot more to the guy than that big hit he had in 1991, penned by Nik Kershaw.
The song spent five weeks at number one in the UK in March and April 1991 as Chesney’s debut single at the age of 19, and it scored him a top 10 hit in the US chart too.
The track was featured in the films “Doc Hollywood” (1991) and 2009’s “Moon”. Also in the comedy-drama film “Buddy’s Song” (1991), which starred Chesney Hawkes as Buddy and The Who’s Roger Daltrey as his father.
Today, 54-year-old Chesney will tell you his career is having a bit of a “renaissance” right now. He is in big demand for tours and festivals and pulls big crowds, has a loyal following and is still writing and recording new material.
His current album, “Living Arrows” was BBC Radio 2’s “Record Of The Week”.
He has released six studio albums, a compilation album, a box set, two EPs and a dozen singles. Chesney was a contestant on the 2025 edition of TVs “Celebrity Big Brother”.
Chesney’s fans will be happy with the announcement of a special show in December, “Chesney’s Christmas Cracker”, at Picturedrome, Holmfirth on
Expect a high-energy live set featuring all the classics, including of course, the massive chart-topper “The One and Only”. Keeping the party in full swing, Atomic – The 80s Party Band will deliver a powerhouse set of non-stop anthems from the decade.
We caught him in action this summer at two festivals, Wychwood, on Cheltenham racecourse in May and at Lakefest in Herefordshire this month (August) where he and his band delivered superb sets, and where Chesney kindly popped backstage for us to take some pix and grab a chat.
Below is Chesney’s “Track Record” Q&A which he told to Liam Battersby, who also took the photos, at Lakefest. The photo top of the page in sunglasses is from Wychwood.
Chesney’s “Track Record”
1. First single you owned?
I bought Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition” on an ‘Old Gold’ vinyl. ‘Old Gold’ was a record label that re-released classics, so that was my first ever single. The next one was “Ghostbusters” [The film’s theme song by Ray Parker Jr.]
2. First LP/album you owned?
Well, I kind of took over my dad’s vinyl collection, so it was all The Beatles. The “White Album” was my favourite. He had like 80% Beatles, including one of the originals with the four pictures. The first album I actually bought was Elvis Costello: “Blood and Chocolate”.
3. First CD you owned?
I’m gonna say it was probably Prince. You know, maybe one of the early ones “Controversy”.
4. Last music you bought and in what format (CD/vinyl/digital download)?
I love vinyl. These days in particular, artists nowadays don’t make money from streaming. So I always say to people, if you’re a fan of an artist, buy the vinyl. That’s their only way of making money, especially independent artists. Phoebe Bridgers: “Punisher” album on vinyl was the last I bought.
5. Favourite album? (Choose more than one if need be…)
Oh, let’s say Prince: “Sign of the Times” probably. It’s either that or “Rumours”, and The Beatles’ “White Album”.
6. Anything unusual or perhaps unexpected in your music collection?
The thing is, I’m definitely a music consumer, so probably the country stuff. I am a massive Johnny Cash fan. Also Willie Nelson, and Waylon Jennings. I grew up in Nashville, Tennessee when I was a kid, for four years from the age of five to nine. So the first real music that I ever heard on the radio was country music. So yeah, people don’t really know that about me. I might make a country album.
7. Which song or album is a guaranteed mood booster?
Prince: “Purple Rain”. I mean, there’s so many, to be honest. As a song, a mood booster for me is “Bright Side Of The Road” by Van Morrison. Just something about that track that just kind of picks me up from whatever mood I’m in. If I’m feeling at all down, I just stick that song on. You can’t be depressed with that.
8. Your favourite driving track – or music to exercise to?
I think country is good for driving. I just spent some time in the Midwest. Well, I say country, but Americana, like Fleetwood Mac or something like that; that kind of stuff. Or Tom Petty, that kind of thing.
9. Which song takes you back to your childhood – and to which specific memory/memories?
Well, my dad [Len “Chip” Hawkes] was in the Tremeloes, so any Tremeloes’ songs always take me back to my youth. Dad used to take us to gigs when we were kids, so I have memories of that. Poking my head through the wings and the magical side of seeing my dad. Songs like “Here Comes My Baby”, “Silence Is Golden”, “Me And My Life, “Suddenly You love Me”. All those great Tremeloes’ songs always takes me back to my youth. Amazing.
10. Favourite band (or bands)?
The Beatles.
11. Favourite singer (or singers)?
Prince.
12. Which song would you like played at your funeral?
“Wipe Out” by Surfaris.
Interview & Photos by Liam Battersby
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