Chas and Dave: The Rockney Legends of East London

Chas & Dave, also known as Chas ‘n’ Dave, were a British musical duo composed of Chas Hodges and Dave Peacock. They were well-known for their unique blend of rock, pop, and traditional Cockney music, which they called “rockney.”

If you grew up in East London in the 1970s and 1980s, chances are you’ve heard of Chas and Dave. They were a pop rock duo who created and performed a unique musical style called rockney, which mixed pub singalong, music-hall humour, boogie-woogie piano and pre-Beatles rock ‘n’ roll.

Chas and Dave in 2015, live on stage.
Chas and Dave
By Andrew D. Hurley, CC BY-SA 4.0,
via Wikimedia Commons

Chas and Dave were not only musicians but also storytellers who captured the spirit and culture of the East End. Their songs were full of witty lyrics, catchy melodies and cockney slang, often inspired by their experiences and observations. They sang about everyday topics like Rabbit (meaning talk), Snooker Loopy (a game they loved to play), Gertcha (an expression of annoyance) and Ain’t No Pleasing You (a lament about a fussy partner).

Chas and Dave were also proud supporters of Tottenham Hotspur FC. They recorded four FA Cup final songs with the team, including Ossie’s Dream and Tottenham Tottenham. They also appeared in adverts for Courage beer and Heinz Baked Beans, becoming household names nationwide.

But who was Chas and Dave, and how did they become the rockney legends of East London?

The Early Years

Chas Hodges and Dave Peacock met in 1963 but only started writing songs together in 1972. Before that, they had been in various groups and worked as session musicians for stars like Jerry Lee Lewis, Gene Vincent and Cliff Bennett. Chas and Dave met in 1963 when Dave stopped to pick up Chas, who was hitchhiking after missing the last bus from then girlfriend Joan’s house. They started writing songs together in 1972.

Chas was born in north London in 1943 and learned to play piano, guitar and bass at a young age. He was influenced by skiffle, country, blues and rock ‘n’ roll, and joined his first band, The Outlaws, when he was 16. He later played with Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers, who toured with the Beatles in 1966.

Dave was born in Ponders End in 1945 and grew up listening to his father’s jazz records. He taught himself to play guitar and bass and joined a band called the Rolling Stones (not famous) when he was 15. He later played with The Tumbleweeds, Mick Greenwood and Jerry Donahue.

Chas and Dave were part of Black Claw with Harvey Hinsley and Mick Burt in the late 1960s. They recorded an EP called Country Pie with Albert Lee, who later became their producer. After Black Claw disbanded, Chas joined Heads Hands & Feet in 1970.

The Rockney Revolution

In 1972, Chas and Dave formed their own duo, with Chas on lead vocals, piano and guitar and Dave on vocals, bass and guitar. They also recruited Mick Burt as their drummer. They wanted to create a new sound that reflected their roots and influences, combining rock ‘n’ roll with cockney dialect and humour.

They called their style rockney, a portmanteau of rock and cockney. They also set up their own record label, Rockney Records, to control their music more creatively. They released their debut album, One Fing ‘n’ Anuvver, in 1975.

Their breakthrough came in 1979 with Gertcha, which reached No. 20 on the UK Singles Chart. It was followed by eight more Top 40 hits, including Rabbit, Ossie’s Dream, Stars Over 45, Ain’t No Pleasing You and Snooker Loopy. They also had nine charting albums.

Chas and Dave became famous for their lively performances, often featuring audience participation, jokes and banter. They played at venues ranging from pubs and clubs to theatres and stadiums. They also appeared on TV shows like Top of the Pops, The Tube and The Kenny Everett Video Show.

The Later Years

Chas and Dave continued to make music until 2009 when they announced their retirement after Dave’s wife Sue died of lung cancer. However, they reunited in 2011 for gigs to celebrate their 50th anniversary as friends.

In October 2013, they released That’s What Happens, their first studio album in 18 years. It featured guest appearances by Albert Lee, Jools Holland and Hugh Laurie.

Sadly, Chas died in September 2018 from organ failure after receiving treatment for oesophageal cancer. He was 74 years old. Dave paid tribute to his bandmate and friend as “a fabulous musician” who “always made me smile”.

Chas’s death marked the end of an era for Chas and Dave fans worldwide. But their music is a testament to their talent, charm and legacy.

They were not just a pop rock duo but the Rockney legends of East London.

Some Fun Facts About Chas And Dave

  • Chas played the piano on Eminem’s hit song My Name Is, which sampled Labi Siffre’s I Got The…, which Chas had played on as a session musician.
  • Dave was once offered a job as a bass player for The Kinks but turned it down because he didn’t want to leave his wife.
  • Chas wrote songs for other artists such as Joe Brown, Mike Berryand Shakin’ Stevens.
  • Dave is an avid fisherman who once caught a record-breaking carp weighing over 40 pounds.
  • Chas was initially asked to sing the theme tune for Only Fools And Horses, but he declined because he didn’t like singing other people’s songs.
MetricValue
Years active1975-2018
Number of studio albums16
Number of top 40 hits18
Total UK singles sales5 million
Best-selling album“Chas ‘n’ Dave’s Double Bubble” (1983)
Number of UK number one albums1 (The “Sideboard Song” EP, 1979)

Chas and Dave were an English duo known for their blend of rock and roll, skiffle, and pub singalong music. They released 16 studio albums over the course of their career and had 18 top 40 hits in the UK singles chart. They sold a total of 5 million singles in the UK alone, and their best-selling album was “Chas ‘n’ Dave’s Double Bubble” which was released in 1983.

Their 1979 EP “The Sideboard Song” reached number one on the UK Albums Chart, making it their only number one album. Chas and Dave were a beloved act in the UK, known for their catchy tunes and humorous lyrics, and their music continues to be popular today.

Here are some of their highest-charting singles in the UK:

  1. “Gertcha” (1979) – Reached #20 on the UK Singles Chart
  2. “Rabbit” (1980) – Reached #8 on the UK Singles Chart
  3. “Ain’t No Pleasing You” (1982) – Reached #2 on the UK Singles Chart
  4. “Snooker Loopy” (1986) – Reached #6 on the UK Singles Chart

(1) Chas & Dave – Wikipedia.
(2) Chas & Dave – YouTube.
(3) The Strange World Of… Chas & Dave.

5 thoughts on “Chas and Dave: The Rockney Legends of East London”

  1. Dave was into Country music as well. I remember him on bass guitar when I was the drummer with Thom Fricker’s band The Nitelife when we did a country festival at Cecil Sharpe House back in the late 1960s.
    I did a week’s depping as drummer for The Tumbleweeds in Germany when their drummer, Johnny Bonniface stayed at home while his wife was having their first child, but Dougie Dee was the bass player then (1967).
    I also had the privilege of working for a week with Albert Lee when he was with Country Fever back in the late 60s.
    Country music was very popular then and I had the regular drum chair with Tex Withers and The Sidetrackers.
    Thanks for the memories!

    Reply

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.