{{Short description|English bass guitarist/vocalist (born 1945)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}} {{Infobox person | name = Len Hawkes | image = Len Hawkes.png | alt = | caption = Chip Hawkes in 1968 | birth_name = Leonard Donald Stanley Hawkes | other_names = Chip Hawkes | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1945|11|02|df=yes}} | birth_place = | spouse = {{marriage|Carol Dilworth|1969}} | children = 3, including Chesney | module = {{Infobox musical artist | embed = yes | origin = | genre = | occupation = Musician | years_active = 1960s–present | label = | current_member_of = The Tremeloes | past_member_of = The Horizons, Class of '64 | website = | instruments = {{hlist|Bass|vocals}} }} }} '''Leonard Donald Stanley''' "'''Chip'''" '''Hawkes''' (born 2 November 1945) is an English musician. He is best known for being a member of the Tremeloes and for being the father of Chesney Hawkes.
== Early life == Leonard Donald Stanley Hawkes<ref>{{cite web |title=Me And My Life (Oh Mia Bambina) |url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/887381506?page=1 |access-date=25 July 2023 |website=ASCAP |publisher=American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers |archive-date=30 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330145422/https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/887381506?page=1 |url-status=live}}</ref> was born on 2 November 1945.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Len "Chip" Hawkes Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/len-chip-hawkes-mn0001558487 |access-date=25 July 2023 |website=AllMusic |language=en |archive-date=25 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725185257/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/len-chip-hawkes-mn0001558487 |url-status=live}}</ref> When he left school, he became a carpenter's apprentice, alongside which he would play local gigs; his nickname, Chip, was a consequence of him sometimes turning up to gigs still covered in wood shavings.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 September 2013 |title=Tremeloes comeback for Chip Hawkes and Brian Poole - Chip Hawkes Interview |url=https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/leisure/the_guide/10688322.tremeloes-comeback-for-chip-hawkes-and-brian-poole-chip-hawkes-interview/ |access-date=25 July 2023 |website=South Wales Argus |language=en |archive-date=25 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725185259/https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/leisure/the_guide/10688322.tremeloes-comeback-for-chip-hawkes-and-brian-poole-chip-hawkes-interview/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
He formed a band called The Horizons, that featured Rod Evans as their lead vocalist. Evans would go on to form and front the band Deep Purple in 1968. The Horizons toured Hamburg, Germany during the early to mid 1960s.<ref name=":3" />
==Career== [[File:The Tremeloes.png|left|thumb|The Tremeloes in 1968, left to right: Dave Munden, Rick Westwood, '''Len Hawkes''', Alan Blakley]] In 1966, he joined The Tremeloes, previously Brian Poole and The Tremeloes before Brian Poole's and bassist Alan Howard's departure earlier that year, first as bassist, and then also as co-lead vocalist;<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Brian Poole & the Tremeloes Biography, Songs, & Albums |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/brian-poole-the-tremeloes-mn0000517796/biography |access-date=25 July 2023 |website=AllMusic |language=en |archive-date=25 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725185259/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/brian-poole-the-tremeloes-mn0000517796/biography |url-status=live}}</ref> while he was a member, the band entered the UK Singles Chart with "Here Comes My Baby" (No. 4), "Silence Is Golden" (No. 1), "Even the Bad Times are Good" (No. 4), "Be Mine" (No. 39), "Suddenly You Love Me" (No. 6), "Helule Helule" (No. 14), "My Little Lady" (No. 6), "I Shall Be Released" (No. 29), "Hello World" (No. 14), "(Call Me) Number One" (No. 2), "By the Way" (No. 35), "Me and My Life" (No. 4), and "Hello Buddy" (No. 32).<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Tremeloes |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/12852/tremeloes/ |access-date=25 July 2023 |website=The Official Charts Company |archive-date=1 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401064628/https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/12852/tremeloes/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
Hawkes left the band in 1974 after being injured in a car crash,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Talevski |first=Nick |title=Knockin' On Heaven's Door |publisher=Omnibus Press |year=2010 |pages=37}}</ref> before moving to Nashville, Tennessee, and releasing ''The Nashville Life'' in 1977, which flopped.<ref name=":0" /> He returned to England in 1979, reformed The Tremeloes,<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Chronicle |first=Evening |date=4 February 2004 |title=A host of top pop hitmakers |url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/music/host-top-pop-hitmakers-1605667 |access-date=25 July 2023 |website=ChronicleLive |language=en |archive-date=25 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725185259/https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/music/host-top-pop-hitmakers-1605667 |url-status=live}}</ref> and entered the UK Singles Chart with "Words" (No. 90);<ref name=":1" /> he left in 1988 to manage Chesney's career.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=28 November 2007 |title=Chesney's dad hits the road |url=https://www.northwichguardian.co.uk/leisure/local_leisure/1865500.chesneys-dad-hits-the-road/ |access-date=25 July 2023 |website=Northwich Guardian |language=en |archive-date=25 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725185258/https://www.northwichguardian.co.uk/leisure/local_leisure/1865500.chesneys-dad-hits-the-road/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In 1992, he began touring as a solo artist.<ref name=":3" />
In April 2004, at the request of the Animals, who were about to undertake their 40th anniversary tour, Hawkes was asked to form a band to tour with the Animals. Hawkes would then form a supergroup including Mick Avory (The Kinks), and Eric Haydock (The Hollies), who teamed up to perform as the Class of '64, also featuring guitarists, Telecaster Ted Tomlin and Graham Pollock.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 January 2007 |title=Back to the Sixties with all-star band |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/1146984.back-sixties-all-star-band/ |access-date=11 August 2023 |work=Lancashire Telegraph |language=en |archive-date=11 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811143249/https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/1146984.back-sixties-all-star-band/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The band toured around the world and recorded an album of past band hits and a new single called "She's Not My Child".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mead |first=Derek |date=11 September 2020 |title=Remember when... The Tremeloes |url=https://www.beat-magazine.co.uk/2020/remember-when-the-tememeloes/ |access-date=11 August 2023 |website=Beat Magazine |language=en-GB |archive-date=17 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817043254/https://www.beat-magazine.co.uk/2020/remember-when-the-tememeloes/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2006, he, Brian Poole, and The Tremeloes reunited for the band's 40th anniversary tour.<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 August 2006 |title=Twist and shout with the Tremeloes |url=https://www.southwalesguardian.co.uk/leisure/900197.twist-and-shout-with-the-tremeloes/ |access-date=25 July 2023 |website=South Wales Guardian |language=en |archive-date=25 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725185259/https://www.southwalesguardian.co.uk/leisure/900197.twist-and-shout-with-the-tremeloes/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2017, Chip and Chesney undertook a joint tour.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 February 2017 |title=Chesney and Chip Hawkes to play Bilston |url=https://www.expressandstar.com/entertainment/2017/02/17/chesney-and-chip-hawkes-to-play-bilston/ |access-date=25 July 2023 |website=www.expressandstar.com |language=en |archive-date=25 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725185259/https://www.expressandstar.com/entertainment/2017/02/17/chesney-and-chip-hawkes-to-play-bilston/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
== Personal life ==
=== Family === While promoting "Hello World" on The Golden Shot on 9 March 1969,<ref>{{Cite journal |date=8 March 1969 |title=Tremeloes Back |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Melody-Maker/60s/69/Melody-Maker-1969-0308.pdf |journal=Melody Maker |pages=4 |access-date=25 July 2023 |archive-date=20 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420034253/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Melody-Maker/60s/69/Melody-Maker-1969-0308.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> he met the show's co-host Carol Dilworth, and married her later that year. Their relationship started poorly; Hawkes made an inane remark about Dilworth's mini-skirt, to which she responded by lecturing him on how popstars thought they could sleep with any women they wanted, and only agreed to a date several months later, following repeated phone calls to her from around the world, during the Tremeloes' hectic touring schedule.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Henson |first=Joaquin M. |title=Brit pop legends are loyal husbands |url=https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2011/08/21/718738/brit-pop-legends-are-loyal-husbands |access-date=25 July 2023 |website=Philstar.com |archive-date=25 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725185259/https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2011/08/21/718738/brit-pop-legends-are-loyal-husbands |url-status=live}}</ref>
The pair have had three children, who are all in the music business:
* Chesney Hawkes, who topped the UK Singles Chart in 1991 with "The One and Only"<ref name=":2" /> * Jodie Hawkes, a drummer who has played for both Chesney<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Freeman |first1=Hadley |last2=@HadleyFreeman |date=22 March 2022 |title='I'm very happy with where I am': the one and only Chesney Hawkes |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/mar/22/im-very-happy-with-where-i-am-the-one-and-only-chesney-hawkes |access-date=25 July 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=25 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725185259/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/mar/22/im-very-happy-with-where-i-am-the-one-and-only-chesney-hawkes |url-status=live}}</ref> and the Tremeloes,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Letter: Fantastic theatre |url=https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/opinion/letter-fantastic-theatre-736347 |access-date=25 July 2023 |website=SussexWorld |archive-date=25 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725185259/https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/opinion/letter-fantastic-theatre-736347 |url-status=live}}</ref> * Keely Hawkes, the lead singer of the California-based alternative rock band Transister, who were active between 1995 and 1997, and included Gary Clark, formerly of Danny Wilson.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chesney Hawkes facts: 'One and Only' singer's age, wife, children and parents revealed |url=https://www.smoothradio.com/news/music/chesney-hawkes-dad-children-now-wife-songs/ |access-date=25 July 2023 |website=Smooth |language=en |archive-date=25 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725185259/https://www.smoothradio.com/news/music/chesney-hawkes-dad-children-now-wife-songs/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Allegations === In December 2015, it was reported that Hawkes and Tremeloes associate Richard Westwood would stand trial for the April 1968 indecent assault of a fifteen-year-old girl<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barrett |first=Frances |date=2 December 2015 |title=Two former members of 1960s band The Tremeloes deny historic indecent assault |url=http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/two-former-members-1960s-band-10540324 |access-date=25 July 2023 |website=SurreyLive |language=en |archive-date=25 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725185300/https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/two-former-members-1960s-band-10540324 |url-status=live}}</ref> at a hotel in Chester.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 December 2015 |title=60s band stars deny carrying out Chester sex assault |url=https://www.chesterstandard.co.uk/news/15977190.60s-band-stars-deny-carrying-out-chester-sex-assault/ |access-date=25 July 2023 |website=Chester and District Standard |language=en |archive-date=25 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725185259/https://www.chesterstandard.co.uk/news/15977190.60s-band-stars-deny-carrying-out-chester-sex-assault/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The trial caused Hawkes to have to cancel a tour of Australia with Brian Poole, and caused Chesney to be taunted at his concerts.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=22 July 2016 |title=Tremeloes stars acquitted of indecently assaulting 15-year-old girl |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/tremeloes-stars-leonard-chip-hawkes-richard-westwood-live-with-stigma-of-false-sex-abuse-allegations-a7151421.html |access-date=25 July 2023 |website=The Independent |language=en |archive-date=25 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725190759/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/tremeloes-stars-leonard-chip-hawkes-richard-westwood-live-with-stigma-of-false-sex-abuse-allegations-a7151421.html |url-status=live}}</ref> In July 2016, it was reported that both parties had been acquitted after their accuser failed to enter evidence.<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 July 2016 |title=Ex-Tremeloes Leonard Hawkes and Richard Westwood acquitted of assault |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-berkshire-36865947 |access-date=25 July 2023 |archive-date=25 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725185257/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-berkshire-36865947 |url-status=live}}</ref> In December 2015, while leaving Chester Crown Court, both he and Richard Westwood were assaulted by an intoxicated photographer, who had to be restrained by their barrister.<ref name=":5" />
=== Health === In 2012, Hawkes was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of bone marrow cancer,<ref name=":6">{{Cite news |last=Evans |first=Martin |date=5 April 2016 |title=Two members of 60s band in court accused of 50-year-old sex offences |language=en-GB |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/04/05/two-members-of-60s-band-in-court-accused-of-50-year-old-sex-offe/ |access-date=25 July 2023 |issn=0307-1235 |archive-date=25 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725185259/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/04/05/two-members-of-60s-band-in-court-accused-of-50-year-old-sex-offe/ |url-status=live}}</ref> which caused him to shrink six inches after six vertebrae collapsed and require the use of a wheelchair,<ref name=":5" /> and for which he underwent a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation at the Royal Marsden Hospital,<ref name=":6" /> which caused his hair to fall out.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Talbot |first=Charlotte |date=16 October 2012 |title=Chesney Hawkes shaves brother's head for charity |url=http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/local-news/chesney-hawkes-shaves-brothers-head-4808610 |access-date=25 July 2023 |website=SurreyLive |language=en |archive-date=25 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725225434/https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/local-news/chesney-hawkes-shaves-brothers-head-4808610 |url-status=live}}</ref> His cancer relapsed during his assault trial, during which time he also suffered from depression. In November 2021, Chesney announced that due to Chip struggling with his health, he would be deputising for him during the Tremeloes' nationwide tour.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fort |first=Hugh |date=6 November 2021 |title=Chesney Hawkes filmed Buddy's Song scenes near gran's house |url=https://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/chesney-hawkes-berkshire-childhood-memories-22003873 |access-date=25 July 2023 |website=BerkshireLive |language=en |archive-date=25 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725185257/https://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/chesney-hawkes-berkshire-childhood-memories-22003873 |url-status=live}}</ref>
== Discography == '''The Tremeloes'''
(See The Tremeloes discography)
'''Solo'''
* ''The Nashville Life'' (1977)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-16 |title=Chip Hawkes Nashville Album UK Vinyl LP |url=https://uk.rarevinyl.com/products/chip-hawkes-nashville-album-uk-vinyl-lp-album-record-pl25044-714282 |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=RareVinyl.com |language=en}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hawkes, Chip}} Category:1945 births Category:Living people Category:20th-century English musicians Category:English rock bass guitarists Category:Beat musicians Category:The Tremeloes members Category:People_with_multiple_myeloma