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Gary Holton | |
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 Holton in 1974 | |
| Born | Gary Frederick Holton (1952-09-22)22 September 1952[1] Clapham, London, England |
| Died | 25 October 1985(1985-10-25) (aged 33) London, England |
| Resting place | Maesgwastad Cemetery,Welshpool, Wales |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1971–1985 |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instruments |
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| Labels | |
Musical artist | |
Gary Frederick Holton[3] (22 September 1952 – 25 October 1985) was an English singer-songwriter, musician and actor. He was the frontman of the bandHeavy Metal Kids (1972–1977), worked withCasino Steel (1981–1984), and played the part of Wayne (a.k.a. London) in the UK television comedyAuf Wiedersehen, Pet (1983–1985). Holton died from an overdose ofmorphine combined with alcohol in 1985.
Gary Holton was born inClapham,south west London, the first child of Ernie and Joan Holton, and grew up inKennington. Whilst musically talented, and a member of a rock band as a schoolboy at Beaufoy School, Lambeth,[4] his real ambition was to act.
Early in his life, Holton began working in the theatre world with theSadler's Wells Opera Company, debuting in opera appearances aged eleven, and was with them for three years. In 1966 he had a part inCongreve'sLove for Love withLaurence Olivier, and at fourteen played the title role inMenotti'sAmahl and the Night Visitors.[4]
Holton sang the theme tune to 1980s British children's drama,Murphy's Mob, which was produced byCentral Television.[5]
In the hit television comedy dramaAuf Wiedersehen, Pet Holton played Wayne Norris, a carpenter from London.[6] The character was fond of women, music and alcoholic drinks, as Holton was off-screen.[6]
In December 1978, Holton stood in forThe Damned vocalistDave Vanian on a short Scottish tour; he auditioned to replace the late Bon Scott inAC/DC.[7]
Gary was the front-man for the band, which formed in 1972. With his cockney accent, he became a popularglam rock singer. The band were discovered by formerDave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich front-manDave Dee, who signed them toAtlantic Records. Their eponymous debut album was well received by the press, but had achieved limited sales. They later played many gigs withpunk rock bandThe Adverts. On their first American tour in 1975, they shortened their name to "The Kids".
In December 1975, the group signed with producer Mickie Most's RAK label but before work could begin on their next album, Holton was sacked amid a storm of drink- and drug-related headlines. Plans for the remaining members to continue on without him came to nothing. In late 1977, Holton rejoined the band for a handful of live shows and the long-delayed third album,Kitsch. However, by mid-1978, he had departed once again and the band broke up.
Whilst the band was popular in Sweden, they had little commercial success in Britain although in 1976 their single "She's No Angel" was regularly played onBBC Radio 1, a favourite of DJJohn Peel, and this led to an appearance onTop of the Pops.[citation needed] The lack of commercial success led to the break-up of the band and Holton returned to acting.
In 1980/81, Holton hooked up withCasino Steel, a musician from Norway and in the following years released a couple of (in Norway) bestselling albums. The duo's musical style was country rock with strong punk influences, their first hit being a cover of Kenny Rogers' "Ruby". Gary Holton's Norwegian musical career went largely unnoticed in his homeland.
In 1984/1985, just before his death, Holton was in a band called The Gang Show, withGlen Matlock andJames Stevenson and keyboard player James Hallawell. They recorded one set of demos. One of the songs, Big Tears, recently[when?] surfaced on a James Stevenson Anthology collection "40 Years In The Rock 'n' Roll Wilderness".[citation needed]
In 1977, Holton dated singer Stella Palmer, with whom he performed his cover version of "Somethin' Stupid" in 1973. Holton and Palmer got engaged in March 1977, but in May the same year, Palmer called off the engagement, stating their relationship was not going quite as planned.[citation needed]
From 1979 Holton was married to model Donna Campbell. They were amicably separated from 1981 and remained friends, though they were still not divorced at the time of his death. Holton later had a relationship with model Susan Harrison who gave birth to his son in 1983.[citation needed]
At the time of his death, Holton had long separated from Harrison and was engaged to hairdresser Jahnet McIllwain.[citation needed]
Holton was found dead by his fiancée Jahnet McIllwain in his bed on 25 October 1985. He had died from an overdose of alcohol andmorphine, with traces ofdiazepam andcannabis in his system.Pathologist Rufus Crompton said during his inquest atHornsey, North London, that he would have been drinking less than half an hour before his death, and that the morphine would have made him unconscious within a matter of minutes.
Holton had a blood alcohol level of 199 mg and a morphine level of 0.8 mg per litre (0.5 mg per litre is considered invariably fatal).[8] He had been a drug user for several years after experiences through the music scene and was addicted to heroin, a habit he had quit some time after the first series ofAuf Wiedersehen, Pet had been broadcast. He was considering setting up a clinic to help others with their addictions.[citation needed]
Holton had considerable debts and had two bankruptcy orders totalling £61,000 over him. These debts were partly due to his not having paid tax since 1979, and also having a mortgage of £48,500 on his flat inMaida Vale,West London.
He died before the second series ofAuf Wiedersehen, Pet had completed filming, but the producers used body doubles and editing of dialogue already recorded to allow the series to be completed.[9] They eventually rescripted the series, such that in every indoor scene that originally included Holton, excuses were made for his absence.
He also had released the single "Catch a Falling Star" in early 1984. He had been due to star in the pantomime Peter Pan that upcoming Christmas. He was survived by his son, Red, with model Susan Harrison.
Holton's funeral took place on 22 November 1985, with a 15-minute service atGolders Green Crematorium in London. HisAuf Wiedersehen, Pet co-stars attended. His ashes were placed on his grandparents' grave in Maesgwastad Cemetery,Welshpool.
With Heavy Metal Kids
With Casino Steel
Solo
With Heavy Metal Kids
With Casino Steel
Solo
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Quadrophenia | Aggressive Rocker | Uncredited |
| 1979 | Shoestring | Gary Molecombe | 1 episode |
| 1979 | The Knowledge | Eddie Hairstyle | |
| 1980 | Play for Today | Keith | 1 episode |
| 1980 | Bloody Kids | Ken | 1 episode |
| 1980 | Breaking Glass | Punk Guitarist | |
| 1981 | Tiny Revolutions | Neighbour | TV movie |
| 1981 | The Gentle Touch | Rick Sloan | 1 episode |
| 1983–85 | Auf Wiedersehen, Pet | Wayne Norris | 26 episodes, (final appearance) |
| 1984 | Minder | Barry | Series 5, Episode 3: A Number of Old Wives Tales |
| 1985 | Bulman | Bernie Scroop | 1 episode |
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