Dateline '70s UK: Strange Case of Alvin Stardust Quiz

Answer: Shane Fenton

As Shane Fenton he had a number twenty-two hit on the UK singles chart with "I'm A Moody Guy" in 1961. It Did not chart in the US

The alternative singers:
Ricky Valance had a number one hit for three weeks on the UK singles chart with "Tell Laura I Love Her" in 1960. It did not chart in the US.
Eden Kane had a number one hit for one week on the UK singles chart with "Well I Ask You" in 1961. It did not chart in the US.
Jimmy Justice had a number eight hit on the UK singles chart with "Ain't That Funny" in 1962. It did not chart in the US.

Answer: The Fentones

Shane Fenton's backing group were The Fentones.

The alternative groups:
The Tremeloes were the backing group for Brian Poole. Shane Fenton and The Fentones were previously called Johnny Theakston and The Tremeloes, those Tremeloes are a different group. The Crusaders were the backing group for British singer Dave Berry. The Beat Brothers were what The Beatles were billed as when they were Tony Sheridan's backing group in Germany.

Answer: Cindy's Birthday

"Cindy's Birthday" was a number nineteen hit for Shane Fenton and The Fentones on the UK singles chart in 1962. It did not chart in the US.

"Cindy's Birthday" was the group's biggest and last UK chart hit. The original version by American singer Johnny Crawford reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1962. It did not chart in the UK. By coincidence it was Johnny Crawford's biggest hit too.

Answer: Bernard Jewry

He was born Bernard William Jewry in Muswell Hill, London, UK, in 1942. He became Shane Fenton but not the first Shane Fenton to front the group.

He joined Johnny Theakston and the Tremeloes as their road manager in the late '50s. The group changed their name to Shane Fenton and The Fentones still with Johnny Theakston as lead vocalist. They were invited to audition for the BBC but Johnny Theakston who as a child had suffered from rheumatic fever was rushed to hospital and died two days later. Johnny's mother encouraged the group to stay together and persuaded Bernard Jewry to take over as singer and use the name Shane Fenton.

The alternative singers:
Terry Nelhams became Adam Faith
Ronald Wycherley became Billy Fury
Reginald Smith became Marty Wilde

Answer: The Mexican

The Fentones had a number fort-one hit on the UK singles chart with "The Mexican" in 1962. It did not chart in the US.

The Fentones were Bill Bonney (bass guitar), Mick Eyre (rhythm guitar), Tony Hinchcliffe (drums) and Jerry Wilcock (lead guitar). The Fentones other chart hit was "The Breeze And I" which reached number forty-eight on the UK singles chart in 1962. It did not chart in the US.

Answer: My Coo-Ca-Choo

Alvin Stardust had a number two hit on the UK chart with "My-Coo-Ca-Choo" in 1973. It did not chart in the US.

The Alvin Stardust name was given to him by the owner of his record label (Magnet Records) Michael Levy, later Lord Levy. Michael Abraham Levy, Baron Levy is a Labour member of the House of Lords. He was the chief fundraiser for the UK Labour Party and a long-time friend of former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair. He spent nine years from 1998 to 2007 as Tony Blair's special envoy to the Middle East.

Lord Levy was arrested in 2006 and questioned in connection with the "Cash for Honours" (allegedly, money was paid to political parties for Honours, in particular peerages) inquiry by the London Metropolitan Police. In 2007 the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), dropped the charges against him.

Answer: Lisa Goddard

Alvin Stardust was first married to the ex-girlfriend of George Harrison and Paul McCartney, Iris Caldwell. She was the sister of Rory Storm who was the leader of Liverpool group Rory Storm and The Hurricanes. Ringo Star was their drummer before leaving to join The Beatles.

His second wife was actress Lisa Goddard who had been married to actor Colin Baker, the sixth Doctor Who. Her third husband is Director and producer David Cobham.

His third wife is actress Julie Paton. Where do these people find the time?

Answer: Mind

"Jealous Mind" was number one for one week on the UK singles chart in 1974. It did not chart in the US.

Alvin Stardust had thirteen UK chart hits between 1973 and 1985. This included seven Top 10 hits, "Jealous Mind" was his only UK number one hit. In 1985 he took part in the UK qualifying heat of the Eurovision Song Contest. He sang "The Clock On The Wall" but only finished in third place behind Vikki who sang "Love Is" and went on to come fourth in the contest proper.

He has starred in the UK tour of Godspell, played Uriah Heep in David Copperfield - The Musical, and played Sir Billy Butlin in The Butlin Story at the London Palladium. In 2005 he starred as the Child Catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, also at the London Palladium.

Answer: Buddy Holly

Alvin Stardust had a number seven hit on the UK singles chart with "I Feel Like Buddy Holly" in 1984. It did not chart in the US.

After only reaching number thirty-seven on the UK singles chart with "Sweet Cheatin' Rita" in 1975 he did another disappearing act from the UK chart for six years. In 1981 Alvin Stardust was back with a number four hit "Pretend". In 1984 he had two number seven hits with "I Feel Like Buddy Holly" and "I Won't Run Away". His last UK chart hit was "Got A Little Heartache" which reached number fifty-five in 1985. Have we seen the last of him? Maybe he will return after 30 years in 2015 at the age of 73.

Answer: Keith Moon

Keith Moon did have an audition for the group when drummer Tony Hinchcliffe left in 1962 but lost out to Canadian George Rodda.

George Rodda was replaced by Bobby Elliot who joined and left in 1963 to join The Hollies. Ginger Baker (Yes, the Ginger Baker of Cream and Blind Faith fame) joined the group sometime in 1965 when they joined up with vocalist Duffy Power. Later that year the group disbanded. Shane Fenton (Bernard Jewry) went into management but still performed with his then wife Iris Caldwell.