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Chas Chandler | |
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.jpg) Chandler in 1964 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Bryan James Chandler |
| Also known as | Chas Chandler |
| Born | (1938-12-18)18 December 1938 Heaton, Newcastle, England |
| Died | 17 July 1996(1996-07-17) (aged 57) Newcastle, England |
| Genres | Rock,R&B,psychedelic rock |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, producer,A&R representative |
| Instrument(s) | Bass,vocals |
| Years active | 1957–1996 |
| Formerly of | The Animals |
Bryan James "Chas"Chandler (18 December 1938 – 17 July 1996)[1] was an English musician, record producer andmanager, best known as the original bassist inThe Animals, for which he was inducted into theRock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. He also managed the bandSlade, andJimi Hendrix, about whom he was regularly interviewed until his death in 1996.
Chandler was born inHeaton, Newcastle.[2] After leaving school, he worked as aturner in theTyneside shipyards. He became the bass player with TheAlan Price Trio in 1962.[1]
AfterEric Burdon joined the band, theAlan Price Trio was renamedThe Animals. Chandler's bass lines were rarely given critical attention but some, including the opening riff of the group's 1965 hit "We Gotta Get Out of This Place" subsequently received praise.[3][4] Chandler was also the most prominent of the group's backing vocalists and did occasional songwriting with Burdon. In 1966, despite commercial success, Chandler became disillusioned with the lack of money, recalling that, "We toured non-stop for three years, doing 300 gigs a year and we hardly got a penny."[1]
In 1977, Chandler played and recorded with the original members of The Animals during a brief reunion and he joined them again for a further revival in 1983, at which point he sold his business interests, in order to concentrate on being a musician.[5]
Chandler, with all but lead singer Eric Burdon of the classic members, was present at the band's induction into theRock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.[citation needed]
After The Animals underwent personnel changes in 1966, Chandler turned to becoming atalent scout, artist manager, andrecord producer. During his final tour with The Animals, Chandler saw a then-unknownJimi Hendrix play inCafe Wha?, aGreenwich Village, New York City, nightclub.[2] At the time Hendrix was performing under the name Jimmy James. In September, Chandler convinced Hendrix to accompany him to Britain,[4] which was made possible with the help ofMichael Jeffery, who suggested that he revert to his actual name, and later suggested naming the bandthe Jimi Hendrix Experience. In Britain, Chandler recruited bassistNoel Redding and drummerMitch Mitchell as the other members of the Experience. Chandler's enthusiasm helped fuel Hendrix during the early days, but halfway through the recording of Hendrix's third album in 1968,Electric Ladyland personality clashes and creative tensions led to the end of their professional relationship.[6]
Chandler was a key figure in Hendrix's rise to critical and commercial success. Chandler provided the young musician with living accommodations and financed the Experience's first single "Hey Joe", before they had a recording contract.[3] He was also instrumental in introducing Hendrix toEric Clapton. It was through this introduction that Hendrix was given the opportunity to play with Clapton andCream on stage.[7] It was Chandler's idea for Hendrix to set his guitar on fire, which made national news when this idea was used at a concert at theFinsbury ParkAstoria Theatre and subsequently at theMonterey Pop festival. Hendrix's sound engineerEddie Kramer later recalled that Chandler was very hands-on with the first two Hendrix albums, adding that "he [Chandler] was his [Hendrix's] mentor and I think it was very necessary."[4]
By 1968, Chandler had become frustrated with the recording sessions for Hendrix's albumElectric Ladyland, saying they were self-indulgent. He left management services in the hands of Jeffery during the following year.[1] Chandler then managed and produced the British rock bandSlade[5] for 12 years, during which they achieved six number one chart hits in the UK. Chandler and Slade parted company following the failure of the single "Knuckle Sandwich Nancy" in May 1981. He would, however negotiate their RCA contract which lasted for four new albums.[citation needed]
Chandler boughtIBC Studios which he renamed Portland Recording Studios, after the studio address of 35 Portland Place, London and ran it for four years until he sold it toDon Arden.[8] Chandler also ran a series of record labels from the studios includingBarn Records,[5] Six of the Best andCheapskate Records. He formed a music publishing agency, as well as a production company and management companies.[5] He also had a brief stint in which he produced the US rock group Horsepower, founded by in 1978.[9]
During the early 1990s, he helped finance the development ofNewcastle Arena, a 10,000 seat sports and entertainment venue which opened in 1995.[3]
Chandler married twice and had a son by his first wife and a son and two daughters by his second wife Madeleine.[10]
Chandler stood 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) tall.[citation needed]
Chandler died of anaortic aneurysm atNewcastle General Hospital on 17 July 1996.[11]
He was on his final tour with The Animals in the US when he heard about a talented young guitarist and went along to New York's Cafe Wha to see him in action.
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