| Chas Chandler | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Bryan James Chandler |
| Born | 18 December 1938, Newcastle-upon-Tyne |
| Died | 17 July 1996 (aged 57) |
| Genres | R&B, psychedelic rock |
| Occupations | Musician, producer and manager |
| Instruments | Bass |
| Associated acts | The Animals, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Soft Machine, Slade |
Bryan James "Chas" Chandler (18 December 1938 — 17 July 1996) was an English musician, record producer and manager of several successful music acts.
Born at 35 Second Avenue, Heaton, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, he began his career playing bass guitar in a trio with Alan Price. After vocalist Eric Burdon joined them the group was renamed The Animals and became one of the most successful R&B bands ever. Chandler's best knowns bass lines are the opening riffs of their 1965 hits "We Gotta Get Out of This Place" and "It's My Life". Chandler was also the most prominent of the group's backing vocalists and did occasional songwriting with Burdon.
After the group split up in late 1966, Chandler became manager of Jimi Hendrix, bringing him to England and recruiting other musicians to form The Jimi Hendrix Experience. He also produced their first two albums, and was instrumental in introducing Hendrix to Eric Clapton. It was through this introduction that Hendrix got a chance to play with Clapton and Cream on stage.[1]
Chandler then went on to manage and produce the English rock band Slade[2] for twelve years, during which time they achieved 7 number one chart hits in the U.K. During this time, Chandler bought IBC Studios which he renamed Portland Recording Studios, after the address of 35 Portland Place, London and ran it for four years till he sold it to Don Arden. Chandler also ran a series of record labels from the studios including Barn Records[2] and Six of the Best, and formed a music publishing agency and management and production companies.[2] In 1977 Chandler played with, and recorded, The Animals during a brief reunion, and joined them again for a further revival in 1983, at which point he sold his business interests and became a musician again.[2]
During the early 1990s he helped develop Newcastle Arena, a ten-thousand seat sports and entertainment venue that opened in 1995.
Chandler had one son, Steffan, from his first marriage. He later married Madeleine Stringer, the 1977 Miss United Kingdom and the sixth runner-up at Miss World 1977, and they had a son, Alex, and two daughters, Elizabeth and Katherine, together.
Chandler died of a heart condition at Newcastle General Hospital, on 17th July 1996, days after performing his final solo show.
Chandler's former home in Heaton is to be remembered with a black plaque placed on the wall.[3]
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