Remembering Alvin Stardust: A Glam Rock Legend Lost Too Soon

Posted on October 23, 2025 – Marking 11 Years Since His Passing

Today, as the calendar flips to October 23, it's impossible not to pause and reflect on one of the true icons of British glam rock: Alvin Stardust. It's been exactly 11 years since we lost him on this very day in 2014, at the age of 72, following a brave battle with prostate cancer. For those of us who grew up with his leather-clad swagger and infectious hooks, his absence still feels raw. Alvin wasn't just a musician; he was a showman, a chameleon of the stage, and a reminder of rock 'n' roll's rebellious heart.

Born Bernard William Jewry on September 27, 1942, in London (though he spent his early years in Mansfield), Alvin's journey to stardom was anything but straightforward. As a schoolboy, he picked up the guitar and dove headfirst into the skiffle craze sweeping Britain. By his teens, he was fronting a band that would become the Fentones, recording under the name Shane Fenton. In the pre-Beatles haze of the early 1960s, they notched up four UK Top 40 hits, including "I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone" and "It's Gonna Happen Tonight." It was innocent pop with a rockabilly edge – think Cliff Richard meets Gene Vincent – and it laid the groundwork for a career that would evolve dramatically.

But fame's spotlight can flicker. After the Fentones disbanded, Bernard stepped away from the mic, dipping into music management and small gigs alongside his first wife, Iris Caldwell (sister of Rory Storm of the Hurricanes). The 1970s, however, brought reinvention. Spotting the glam rock explosion ignited by Marc Bolan & David Bowie, Bernard – with the help of Magnet Records co-founder Peter Shelley – transformed into Alvin Stardust.

The name was a playful nod to Bowie's alter ego, originally considered "Elvin" as a mashup of Elvis Presley and Gene Vincent. Dressed in black leather, sporting a towering quiff, mutton chops, and a single glittering glove, Alvin became the brooding anti-hero of glam. No glitter bombs here – just raw attitude and a finger pointed straight at the camera.

His breakthrough came with "My Coo Ca Choo" in 1973, a stomping novelty track that raced to No. 2 on the UK charts. It was followed by a string of Top 10 smashes: "Jealous Mind" (his one and only No. 1 in 1974), "You You You". Alvin's music was pure escapism – sassy, seductive, and unapologetically fun. Lines like "Lay down and groove on the mat" from "My Coo Ca Choo" captured the era's hedonistic vibe, while his stage presence turned every performance into a spectacle.

The 1980s saw Alvin pivot again, trading glam grit for polished pop. Producer Pete Waterman handed him a cover of Nat King Cole's "Pretend," which hit No. 4 in 1983, and Mike Batt penned the nostalgic "I Feel Like Buddy Holly," peaking at No. 5 the following year. These tracks showcased his versatile voice – gravelly one moment, crooning the next. Beyond records, Alvin shone in musical theater, starring in Godspell, Judas Iscariot in Jesus Christ Superstar, and Chicago. He even popped up on TV as the landlord in Hollyoaks, proving his charisma transcended genres.

A devoted Christian later in life, he channeled his faith into quiet philanthropy, but never lost his cheeky humor.

When news of his death broke on October 23, 2014, tributes poured in. Liza Goddard tweeted a heartfelt "RIP Alvin Stardust," while Hollyoaks co-star Jeremy Edwards remembered him as "a great bloke." He'd just wrapped his first album in 30 years, Alvin, set for release days later – a poignant "new and exciting departure" he was immensely proud of. His final show at the Regal Cinema in Evesham was just six days prior, a testament to his unyielding spirit despite the cancer that had metastasized 18 months earlier.

Eleven years on, Alvin Stardust's legacy endures in the grooves of vinyl collections and the playlists of nostalgia seekers. He reminded us that reinvention isn't just possible – it's essential. In a world that often plays it safe, Alvin dared to point, strut, and sing with unfiltered joy. So crank up "Jealous Mind" today, tip your hat to the quiff, and groove on the mat. The rock gods are groovier for having him.

What’s your favorite Alvin Stardust memory? Drop it in the comments below – let's keep the conversation alive.