Chesney Hawkes: still in demand 35 years on from The One and Only

It is appropriate (or perhaps a cruel irony) that Chesney Hawkes’ one big hit is called The One and Only.

That track claimed the top spot in the charts back in 1991, and in the subsequent 35 years (during which Hawkes appears to have aged at most only couple of decades), he has, perhaps against the odds, has sustained a successful career.

A regular on the festival circuit, he has also in recent times supported the likes of Robbie Williams and James Blunt, and is still in demand on the small screen, appearing on everything from The Weakest Link to Loose Women and Celebrity Big Brother.

On the strength of his performance at the Waterfront in Norwich, part of his Smash it to Pieces solo tour, it’s not hard to see why Hawkes is still around.

He has an engaging, chatty stage presence, a fine voice and a back catalogue that is stronger and more substantial than might be expected.

Things kicked off with I’m A Man Not A Boy, which was released as the follow-up single to The One and Only, with 1990s footage of Hawkes playing on the screens behind.

He then launched into a mix of other early tracks and newer releases.

Among the highlights were The Ballad of Benny and Alice, a song from his 2025 LP, Living Arrows, about two friends who got together.

Also from Living Arrows was 13, which referenced an underage sexual encounter. It is not a comfortable subject matter, but when discussing the track, Hawkes described how songwriting could be therapy.

Another very personal track – and, like most of the evening’s material, one that was instantly catchy – was Loud, which talked about the recent death of one of Hawkes’ best friends. While discussing the song, Hawkes even put an arm around the imaginary presence of his lost pal.

Hawkes’ drummer is his brother, Jodie, who emerged from behind his kit so that the pair could duet on a hit from their father’s band, The Tremeloes.

The One and Only was penned by Nik Kershaw and, in his honour, Hawkes performed Kershaw’s hit Wouldn’t it be Good, with the original video as a backdrop.

Soon after came Hawkes’ own signature track, which is as good a pop song as you will find: a catchy and emotionally resonant crowd-pleaser.

Hawkes described how he did not understand encores so, rather then leaving the stage, he remained to perform a new song, Rock n Roll Sunday, before ending with The Killers track Human.

The crowd at the Waterfront was not the largest ever, but it was respectably sized, and they left energised after a fine evening with one of pop’s unlikely survivors.