Chas Hodges Dies Aged 74

Chas Hodges, best known for his partnership with Dave Peacock in the pop-rock band Chas & Dave, has died at the age of 74.

Hodges’ death was announced on the duo’s Twitter account in a statement that read: “It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the passing of our very own Chas Hodges. Despite receiving successful treatment for oesophageal cancer recently, Chas suffered organ failure and passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of this morning.”

Hodges was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in February, but was determined to return to the stage and had started performing again. The duo most recently supported Eric Clapton at his British Summertime show in London’s Hyde Park in July.

Chas & Dave formed in 1975, and enjoyed a run of hits in the late seventies and early eighties with songs like ‘Gertcha’, ‘The Sideboard Song’, ‘Rabbit’, ‘Ain’t No Pleasing You’ and ‘Snooker Loopy’.

Hodges’ musical career kicked off in the 1960s working alongside legendary producer Joe Meek, while as a musician he backed Jerry Lee Lewis & Gene Vincent. He performed on sessions with Ritchie Blackmore, and joined Albert Lee’s band Heads Hands & Feet before a short-lived stint with The Rockers, who featured The Move’s Roy Wood, Thin Lizzy frontman Phil Lynott, and Status Quo drummer John Coghlan. Hodges also appeared as a special guest alongside the Beatles on their final British tour in 1966, as a member of Cliff Bennett And The Rebel Rousers.

Tributes to Chas Hodges have already begun to pour in. The comedian Rob Beckett tweeted he was saddened by the death of Hodges, who, with Dave Peacock, “wrote the soundtrack to my childhood”. The Welsh music critic Simon Price tweeted: “I don’t know if I’ve ever had as much shameless fun at a gig as last time I saw Chas and Dave.” Comedy writer and author Adam Kay tweeted: “Sad news. The very least we could do in Chas’ memory is make ‘Ain’t No Pleasing You’ the new national anthem. Belting tune.”

Format: UK English