Alvin Stardust - died 23rd October 2014

This week it will be the 10th anniverary of the death of pop-star Alvin Stardust.

Alvin Stardust was a British glam rock singer and musician, best known for his distinctive stage persona and black leather outfit.

Born Bernard William Jewry in London’s Muswell Hill on September 27, 1942, he originally performed as Shane Fenton in the early 1960s. However, he found major fame in the 1970s glam rock explosion after rebranding himself as Alvin Stardust.

His career skyrocketed in 1973 with the hit single “My Coo Ca Choo," which featured his leather-clad, menacing image along with an unmistakable rockabilly quiff and leather gloves. 

However he did not sing on the recording which was made by Peter Shelley who held no interest in public appearances nor performing live. Jewry’s manager suggested his client would make an ideal substitute and Bernard took over in time to lip sync the song on its first “Top of the Pops” appearance.

In addition to "My Coo Ca Choo," he had several other hits during the 1970s, such as “Jealous Mind" (which reached number one on the UK Singles Chart in 1974), "Red Dress," and "You You You." These were all performed by the re-born Alvin Stardust.

In later years he appeared on stage in musicals and also made acting appearances on TV. He was once described by Rolling Stone Keith Richards as “the Godfather of British Rock’n’Roll.”

He died on October 23, 2014, at the age of 72, just days before the release of what would become his final album, “Alvin,” He had been diagnosed with prostate cancer 18 months earlier which later matastasised.

He cultured a bad-boy image which was nothing like the real man who was genuine, likeable and a committed Christian.

Alvin Stardust - Jealous Mind

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