I'm still coming to terms with the death of Paul Hester, the news is only an hour or so old. Peter Green has requested that we hold off on emails and cards so we can give the surrounding family and friends some time to breathe, so at the moment, there's not a lot we can do for the family. .

In the meantime, while it's important to commiserate of the loss of a much loved and unique friend, i think it's also important to reflect on the good times. Let's think of those funny times where Paul has made us either cringe, hide our eyes or just laugh out loud. As sad a time it is, i think this would be a good way to begin to.....wheather ourselves for the emotional challenges ahead. I'll start.

My memory:

November last 2004, Finn Brothers tour. Paul, Neil and Tim on stage. This was my first ever FINN related concert. To see the 3 of them on stage was magic. I remember, it was like a typical Crowded House moment. Neil to the left, looking impatient, wanting to get on with the song, Tim to the right, chatting to the audience and Paul in the middle. Not only looking confused and wanting to know what song it was, but trying to keep up with the Finn Brother's band drummer behind. I remember, he was drumming too fast and Paul just turned around and said "do you want to get the ****in' count right?!!" Everyone just burst out in laughter. It was great. That was Paul.

Then there's the Mick Molloy show. Whenever it was at that time of the show to bring out the cakes on set and have something to eat while the camera's were rolling, Paul would be there pouring the tea and coffee in his floral apron and stuffing vegemite sandwitches into his mouth- a true gent

Anyway, don't hurry to respond to this thread, i think it's important to mourn for Paul too, but, when you're really down, this thread is here too. Let's remember Paul for who he was too, not for a tragic event.

Thanks.

Those are good stories-I particularly like the first one .

I won't have as many memories as some of you will, as I've only been into this band for nearly a year now and everything, but from the few things I've seen on TV involving him, he sure seemed like a real goofball, a real character.

I posted this in another thread last night-this was what sprang to my mind when the person there asked for good memories of him and everything:

The one that immediately comes to mind for me is the end of the "Something So Strong" video, when Nick's all drenched in water and Paul runs up and puts his hand over Nick's mouth and kisses it-that part always made me chuckle whenever I've watched that video.

I also remember always getting a kick out of seeing him on that Wiggles show, all dressed up like a chef and everything. Never failed to make me laugh.

Yeah. And I agree, the good memories of him are just as important as mourning him-it'll be good to hear more fun stories of this man.

Angela

I remember being lucky enough to win tickets to the first Music Max session with Coldplay, and was so stoked to see him there on the other side of the stage waiting to go on and introduce the band. Before he came out we caught his eye and my friend and I had the funniest face pulling/tongue poking competition with him! It was like we were all 8 years old again.
Of course, once on stage, he stole the show as a charming host, and got us all smiling straight away.

Three words: My Friend Nick. I remember being doubled over in laughter the first time I heard this song, thinking, "Only you, Paul, could come up with something like this!"

I never met Paul Hester, yet I feel as though a friend has departed. Watching the DVD again today will hopefully bring more smiles than tears - as Winterpumpkin pointed out, the end of Something So Strong is a wonderful moment.

Dec. 17, 1991- Crowded House at the Wiltern in LA. Paul came out for the encore and started removing clothing. At first I assumed he was just hot, but darned if he didn't pull the "Full Monty". After some streaking he put on his pants and finished the show. At times like this, it's important to remember the good times and the laughter.

Streaking, eh? Hahaha...oh, god...that must've been quite the interesting show .

quote:

Originally posted by skinheadskippy:
[qb]as Winterpumpkin pointed out, the end of Something So Strong is a wonderful moment. [/qb]

They played that video earlier tonight on VH1 Classic. I watched it. Yeah...

Angela

March 1987 the first Australian Grand Prix Adelaide.With some sun stroke and one too many beers.A time when you weren't arrested for having good fun.Splashing in the lake at Rymill PARK IN FRONT OF THE STAGE with Crowded house about to explode in the States.Paul dashed off the drums to point out a lovely speciman of manhood naked on his back like MOBYDICK(literally)relieving himself while backstroking.A sing along was always guaranteed.You became part of a performance even if you weren't slashing or splashing in a pond singing slurred lyrics.
I remember flashing forward a few months to July and in New York in my little hotel room watching as CH came on Letterman.So proud of the OZ/NZ phenomenon.
That moment was relived as The Finn brothers changed the mood at WAVEAID this year.50,000 singing "Dont dream its over".Paul Hester will always make me smile when I think of him.A worldwide hug to his family and friends.He was part of changing my world.

What to post?

I only ever got to see Paul perform live once. It was at the Fox Theater, September 3, 1991 in Portland and I was elated to be able to see my favorite band in the company of my favorite girl.

The band was stellar that night and Paul was everything you would expect him to be and more. Even now, all these years later, I can still recall moments from that show: Paul feigning stage fright right as they are coming onto the edge of the stage, turning back, and smacking headlong into Nick, Neil, Mark & Tim.... Paul taunting the tour manager as "Skippy Skippy" and pointing to the kangaroo in the band's backdrop... Paul seguing into an exaggerated version of Midnight Oil's "Bed's Are Burning" halfway through "Sister Madly"... Paul improvising an impassioned "Old Theatre Song" (as an intro to "Italian Plastic"), pleading with the citizens of Portland to save the Fox (it was later leveled in favor of a high rise)... Paul singing "Worms"...

Sadly it didn't take him "a long, long time to die."


Hindsight IS 20/20 and I look back on that night with the fondest of memories. It was easily the best concert I'd seen at that point and still is to this very day. Beyond that, it was one of those moments that stands out as a life highlight. A milestone by which other potential moments will be forever judged.

Crowded House returned to Portland in 1994, two weeks after Paul had left the band. That show was memorable for me as well. And Paul had as much to do with it as my aim with a paper airplane did.

But I still missed his spirit that night. And I have ever since.

Saw Paul as part of CH twice in the early 80's at Brtadford St Georges Hall. Paul made what CH was live no doubt. The fact that 2 shows were never the same, and the fact that they would interact with the audiance was something I will never forget. The first show (91 or 92 I think) was amazing. Paul struck up a conversation with a guy in the top of the boxes about 50 feet up in the air and tried to throw a bottle of beer up to him....the guy caught it but upside down, the content of the beer spilling over some equipment which promptly shorted in the next song....Paul threw a mini tantrum and left the stage for 10 minutes f%^$ing and blinding....it was so funny.

The general theme so far for me has been that despite not meeting him we all felt we could relate to him.

Many thanks to Peter for everything he's done so far and my thoughts go to everyone who knew him, Mardi and the children.

I hope Neil and Tim raise the roof of the Royal Albert Hall tonight in memory.....

A wonderful idea for a topic Joel, thankyou for allowing us this opportunity to reminisce. Mine too is from November 2004, the first time I saw Neil, Tim and Paul on the same stage.

I have met Paul Hester, only once, and however brief, it left a lasting impression on my life, even before this tragic occurance.

Before the show at the Palais, I was informed by the stage hand out the front, that as I was in costume (wearing a suit I'd made to resemble Tim's "I See Red" clothes) that he would try to let me meet the guys. The show was a ripper, my aunty and I had a tremendous time Paul stole the show, as I'm sure he nearly always did

So I'm waiting out the side of the theatre for the Finns, after about half and hour, Paul walks casually by... The kid next to me shouts "Hey Paul! Could you sign these for me?" (Vinyl records of various Enz and Crowdies albums)...

Paul came over with a "Sure mate!", he drew horns on the Sydney Opera House on one vinyl, and signed 'True Colours', I, surprisingly stably, remarked "You can't have Paul sign that, he didn't even play on it!" and Paul laughed, saying "Sure I did!".

I complemented him most heartily on a fantastic show, and he thanked me, I then asked if he would sign one of the crosses on my suit, which he did, "Paulo!", I shook his hand, thanked him again, and he was off shouting "I've got a date with a hot chick tonight!"... And that was that.

A few nights later, was my graduation, I wore my "Paulo suit" with pride that night, telling everyone around that this was Paul Hesters signature!

A few weeks after, was my Presentation night, where I wore my suit again, I, a teacher and some friends performed a rousing medley of "Losing My Religion/Six Months in a Leaky Boat", with me on mandolin.

When I returned home that night, sitting on a couch with Molly Meldrum and Glen Shatock was Paul! They were discussing the new Australian Legends CD, featuring Don't Dream It's Over... Choice Paul quote: "I did what any rock star would do, went back to my room for a joint and a wank!"

I'll miss you Paul, and thanks again Joel.

It's good to see we're getting something positive out of this thread. I think the one and only positive that has come out of this tragedy is that it's brougth us together like I've never seen. The Frenz board is electric with activity. The feel of community spirit is sheer exhuberance. It feels like the Frenz board.

Usually, events like this have the potential to divide, not here though, we've united.

Everyone Is Here.

There's quite a few of the original Tongue In The Mail reviews of different CH concerts, many of them with great Hessie stories at the following address:

http://www.etext.org/Mailing.Lists/house/timeline/

A particularly good example of Paul's generosity is at:

http://www.etext.org/Mailing.Lists/house/timeline/concert-9-23-86.html

Great stories everyone!

I never met Paul and I never got to see Crowded House live.

But a few years ago I found an old videotape. When I was in high school (and MTV didn't suck yet), I used to keep a blank tape in the VCR and record videos and music tidbits I found interesting. I popped the tape in and laughed at some of the dumb things on there, but in the middle of it was a bunch of interview segments with CH when they were involved with the whole MTV Spring Break thing. The boys looked sooooooooooooooooo young and absolutely adorable. I remember the veejay asking them what they used to do on spring break and Paul talked about how Australian kids just liked to "practice making other Australian kids."

quote:

Originally posted by grace0418:
[qb]I remember the veejay asking them what they used to do on spring break and Paul talked about how Australian kids just liked to "practice making other Australian kids." [/qb]

Haha, nice... .

So many great stories-like that one about the guy catching the beer bottle upside down and shorting out the equipment. And Brian Wilson is God, that's quite the story you have there, too-that's really cool that he signed that thing for you .

And I agree, Joel, it's great to see everyone coming together at a time like this-being divided certainly wouldn't help anyone, and it certainly wouldn't be the best way to honor Paul's memory, so a thumbs up to everyone for being so kind and caring and all that good stuff. I'm sure that's gotta make Paul happy, wherever he is.

Angela

Even last week after seeing the finn brothers in New York with a friend who was to young to have ever seen CH.
I found myself reminicing on the great CH gigs I was lucky enough to have seen in Dublin(ire)
And I found myself as I ALWAYS do starting with how funny and entertaining Paul was.
Thanks Paul for great laughs..
Rest in peace now

I've got 3 screenshots taken from "Weather With You", "It's Only natural" and "Chocolate Cake".

It's Only Natural
Chocolate Cake
Weather With You

WE MISS U PAUL...

All the way from Australia I discovered CH in Ventura California at a little theatre. I went back home and dove headfirst into CH temptation. It was their "Fall at Your Feet" that helped me through the long death of someone I loved more than my own life - it was them that I risked life and limb driving up the coast to see them play at Seagulls in the middle of a near-cyclone, the old VW kombi unable to handle both the headlights and the wipers so we'd drive in total darkness, feeling the side of the road to get there. It was magic, I couldn't stay in my seat and danced, danced danced, crying and laughing and loving everyone in the world. The camaderie of Paul and Neil - constant and witty banter - Nick standing around listening as though it were the first time he had ever heard such mischief. Launching into Sister Madly with Paul up front, winding those brushes around and around his single drum - his face changing with each second. My deep love of all three of the boys, buying every video that I could, bringing 3 children up, spoon-feeding them Crowded House magic, watching Something So Strong and playing, replaying it over and over again - being the first in my town to ever get copies of anything CH-related. Even this morning, going to my treasure trove of CH and Finn and Enz cds, coming face-to-face with the "Paul is Dead" cd - made me burst out in tears - and then find my heart again when the music started.

Feels like nothing matters in our Private Universe.

love this world - from maya in ballerina, australia

well, the last memory I have of Paul is seeing him at the RocKwiz taping.

we were lucky enough to get a table fairly close to the stage, so we were able to keep a close eye on him.

one of the questions had something to do with someone who opened for CH in San Diego in April of '86 or '87. Someone on the opposing team gave an answer, and Paul said, "No! It wasn't in April. It was the night before."
the Gershwin Room erupted in laughter and applause.

[mf-g]

Does anyone recall when Paul was the "guest" programmer on MTV when Richard Wilkins was the host? I have not a clue which year it was now. I have a video tape of it somewhere, it was fabulous, I am not sure how much was planned or for real, but it gave me a laugh. It seemed very raw at the time. Carrying on... there are some great stories above. Funny thing is I know I met Paul, but I always feared being put in the groupie stereotype, so I tried hard not to bug them.

Funny thing is, I was cleaning out my stuff the other day and came across a prize from YEARS ago with all 4 signatures on it (Neil, Paul, Tim, Nick) and now I'll have to put it somewhere really safe.

I feel old now that he is gone.
It is good to think of good things, he was one of my growing up idols when I was a teenager. Ahh, he is probably laughing at us all talking about him like this.

he made me laugh

god bless him

Peter fox