Paul Hester: Life, Music & Shenanigans (A Retrospective)

On March 26th 2005, we lost one of the biggest characters in Australian music. 16 years later, he is still missed by his friends, family and fans alike around the world.
This video is a tribute to the life & times of Paul Hester, covering his formative years in The Cheks & Deckchairs Overboard, being the iconic drummer with Split Enz & Crowded House, becoming a front man with Largest Living Things & Hessie's Shed and finally his collaborative & solo work.
His energy & vibrancy will forever be synonymous with his name and there was always the "laughter and light" that Paul brought wherever he went.
I hope you will enjoy this celebration of Hessie and the memories that he brought us.
#RIPHessie
00:00 Video Start
00:21 Chapter 1: This Is Massive
08:20 Chapter 2: That's What I Call Love
16:32 Chapter 3: Skin Feeling
24:58 Chapter 4: I'm Still Here
33:36 Chapter 5: Happyland
42:28 Epilogue
46:02 End Credits

[@maryfrump7937]

I can feel the pain in Neils vooice.

[@maryfrump7937]

Im crying. He was a very talented guy.

[@jokerswildio]

Awesome tribute to one of the most intriguingly sincere, charming and lovable musicians in modern history

[@rachelmckell423]

Absolutely adored Paul. Funny bloke great drummer. Crowded House my favourite Aussie band ever. So sad Paul had many personal struggles. Broke my heart to hear he passed in 2005. Hope you found the peace you were looking for Paul. Forever loved and missed. RIP. ❤❤❤❤❤

[@taleinz1]

I remember seeing him once at Auckland airport . So wanted to go and say hello but didn’t want to disturb him . He was on our flight. Always thought about him when I heard he has passed , which wasn’t too long after I saw him . Felt sad for him and the battle he was going through , when on the outside he looked so happy . Love his work ❤ Gone but he lives on and is alive always in the music 🎶

[@CurtisDWhale]

I worked as stagehand on a Crowded House gig in 1993 on the Together Alone tour. After the show I was packing in Paul's drumkit, and all of a sudden Paul turned up and said to me "now, this is where my baby lives", meaning the flightcases where we've put his kit in. I will never forget his smiling face. Great guy, drummer, singer, comic, great man!

[@CJFerg81]

Fantastic story. Thank you for sharing it 🙂

[@loveiseternity]

Oh Hessie…❤️

[@DeanWuksta]

thanks, i thought he was an amazing individual, made me laugh, great drummer, so sad, but he lived a full life, wish he was still here

[@CJFerg81]

Yeah. We can only dream what Hessie and even the band would have done if he was still around. We can be thankful for the time and memories while he was with us though.

[@DeanWuksta]

@@CJFerg81 been looking at a few clips to remember him, like clips from Hessies Shed etc, just thought he was such an untapped talent and had such a gift of the gab. This was prob the best compilation I’ve come across.

[@CJFerg81]

Thanks@@DeanWuksta. I trawled through a lot of footage to put this together and there's plenty that didn't even make the Deleted Scenes video. He was certainly one-of-a-kind, almost Keith Moon-like but without the drug-fuelled shenanigans.

[@silvanafloreschavez5367]

PAUL HESTER, THE HANDSOME FROM THE CROWDED HOUSE, RIP

[@drawingperfectcircles]

It’s bigger than us, you don’t have to worry about it 💚🌱🌱🌱

[@Cuverville93]

Paul singing the harmony on It's Only Natural is as precious as a Beatles out-take.

[@CJFerg81]

Totally. When I first came across the clip from the Arias I thought they pulled it off quite well without Tim.

[@finnfan33]

Beautiful tribute to the beloved & much-missed Paul Hester. I took a pilgrimage from Minnesota USA to Melbourne to visit all the places he went & pay homage to one of the greats. Thx for the incredible work that went into this. Love from America.

[@Formula-602]

I am from USA too…and met him around 26 years ago in Melbourne..after a Hessies Shed show….almost everyone had split..but I hung around way up front of the stage….someone must have told him backstage that someone was waiting around…as he came out..and talked to me a few minutes! i play drums also….and liked to smoke pot,as did he..that would have been AMAZING to have gone to his crib..and smoked weed/drank all night.and talk vintage drums and cymbals…

[@rogandmel]

The pain in Neil's voice at the end brought me to tears. This video is a wonderful compilation of the beautiful Paul Hester. Thank you for making it. ❤️

[@nickdryad]

Every now again I remember he’s no longer around and I become very sad. Then I spent time on KZbin watching him and remembering how much he made us laugh. He still does. That opening to Mean to Me is so damn funny. Thanks for this tribute.

[@lesscarmel5527]

And I still haven’t gotten over this. RIP Hessie. You are loved and missed.

[@kwoylee5617]

Of all the various losses and tragedies that have occurred in music, this one hurt the most. RIP Paul.

[@leonskum.5682]

The greatest, funniest guy that most people I know have never heard of. Hugely missed.

[@fretboardmaster70]

Still miss Hessie.

[@floydlay9189]

I knew I'd be in tears,,by the end,,,,Thank you so much!

[@CJFerg81]

You are very welcome. Hope you enjoyed watching it.

[@hollyanne6554]

So many love this man not just for his enormous talent, wit, humor and personality but because he was genuine and he had a huge heart.❤️ thanks for this!

[@CJFerg81]

You are very welcome, Holly. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@audreyhalls1541]

I used to watch Hessie’s Shed as well as being a huge Crowded House fan. I really enjoyed your compilation of Paul. Brought a tear to my eye as the compilation progressed. 😢 R.I.P Paul.

[@DSK12345y]

Paul was such a great drummer he NEVER "OVERPLAYED" ! As with many other drummers he influenced my playing and for that I will be "eternally" thankful ! RIP you were a blessing to so MANY !!!

[@lattelucks4924]

What a talented funny and sweet person, RIP Hessie

[@aupeterta]

I knew Paul very well .... and it still causes me so much sadness that we lost him.... thankyou for putting all this together... Love you Paul

[@CJFerg81]

You are very welcome. It means so much to me to get feedback from those people, such as you, who were closest to Hessie. And it reaffirms to me that it was well worth spending all those hours & late nights putting it together.

[@aupeterta]

@@CJFerg81 thankyou for this gift

[@philbis2774]

Brilliant tribute of Hessie was just up at Blackwood Cemetery on his Birthday a few weeks ago to say hello

[@ChristopherLightfoot-zu3kb]

There is a treasure trove of Paul Hester solo songs somewhere waiting to be released… Still miss this guy ❤

[@CJFerg81]

@ChristopherLightfoot-zu3kb There sure is. The three songs at the end were all released unofficially and his family is bound to have more. I do hope they see the light of day someday.

[@lauraanderson8027]

Will always love and miss you Hessie❤️❤️❤️

[@Joseftaheri]

A beautiful heartfelt and touching tribute to Paul Hester, very well done ❤

[@ewetoo]

That ARIA performance of Neils is still gut-wrenching to watch. #RIPHessie

[@CJFerg81]

Yeah. As soon as I watched that clip for the first time I knew it had to be the Epilogue for this video but with my own creative twist.

[@daijones101]

What a sweetheart he was

[@CJFerg81]

One year later, nearly 6000 views and so many wonderful comments. Thank you for your continued support. Shows that Hessie is missed just as much now as ever.

[@Diorella_scent]

Thank you. Heartbroken, again. But, I’m so grateful that Paul Hester was here in my lifetime and shone so very brightly and brought such joy. Shine on Paulo ⭐️

[@CJFerg81]

I promise it will be the last time I do it 😁

[@Diorella_scent]

@@CJFerg81 Nooooo don’t stop now!!!

[@mynamesnotglen]

Brilliant. RIP Hessie....

[@robertfurneaux128]

Wonderful tribute to a much missed musician.

[@RichardHartley65]

This is a brilliant tribute. Thank you so much for putting it together.

[@CJFerg81]

It was an absolute pleasure to put it together and I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks Richard.

[@RichardHartley65]

@@CJFerg81 - watched it non-stop as soon as I stumbled across it this morning. Loved every second of it. It’s a work of art. Thanks again.

[@henrylawson430]

What a personality and talent!

[@sharoncole4868]

This is such a well put together compilation. Hessie was the fun spirit of the band. He always made me smile.

[@romeogirl2010]

Thank you so much for putting this together!❤️ RIP Hessie

[@CJFerg81]

You are very welcome

[@jessportersolo]

Thank you for putting this tribute together for one of Australia's greatest musical icons. RIP Hessie ❤️

[@emmettmccleary4946]

i was born after paul left crowded house for the first time, but he was a musical hero for me growing up - the platonic ideal of what a rock drummer should be, and the drummer i most tried to emulate when i was learning to play. i wish he'd had an easier go of things. he seemed like a beautifully human human.

[@margomullen3322]

I named my youngest after him , he was a great talent and a big hole that he left you’d leave a concert wanting more his stage presence was masterful full of comedy and storytelling ❤️you hessie.💔

[@Coventry_Kiers_1984]

Amazing video, so sadly missed, one of my favourite drummers.

[@buckb6976]

Incredible... Thanks for posting this! Paul was my personal hero. Loved this. Great job!

[@CJFerg81]

You are very welcome, Buck. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@caracine]

His musicianship and his awesome playing with his good friends is going to inspire others who knew him and those who see this video. Thanks for taking the time creating this video. All the respect to our favorite band, my favorite drummer. Paul made me a better person & drummer.

[@loveisaverb9361]

Really appreciate the time you took putting this together thank you. There was a lot of footage I hadn’t seen before. I saw Crowded House twice in concert years ago but after Paul had left, I wish I could have seen him drumming live. When I was younger and most of my friends went crazy for the backstreet boys and take that I was a loyal Crowded House fan. You’re still touching lives Paul x

[@lourdesjackson7129]

Paul hester was so good looking and so smart and funny and so cute

[@lourdesjackson7129]

Rip paul hester

[@amherst88]

Masterfully done -- his is a presence that can never disappear -- few people are that alive in their lives and, regardless of what happens afterward, that quality of life is immortal ❤

[@sammcnaughton5961]

Seriously under-rated drummer and musician. Listen to his playing on “Temple Of Low Men” - just incredible. Thanks for honouring this man.

[@CJFerg81]

You are very welcome, Sam. Hope you enjoyed the video.

[@sirandrelefaedelinoge]

Another ridiculous _"underrated"_ comment on You Tube. Underrated by whom exactly? The people who leave such comments are obviously talentless nobodies with nothing original to say...

[@susanfraser6371]

Paul Hester was a gift to his friends and family, and to us. ❤️ Thank you to everyone who contributed to this wonderful celebration of him.

[@WillSmith-yn6pn]

Amazing video.....thanks 🥲

[@nomdeplume69]

Great tribute Chris Love it

[@pitdoggy31]

Miss you Paul. 😥

[@kimroberts2292]

Well done Chris. You've done Paul proud. You've captured Paul's amazing spirit brilliantly. Thank you ❤️❤️

[@johnkuipers7829]

You don't realise that his clowning around was a disguise to hide his despair and depression. Tried all anti-depressants I think - none worked. In hindsight of course I can see it. Treat suicide seriously, not just make accolades.

[@kimroberts2292]

@@johnkuipers7829 Yes, I agree. Tears of a clown definitely. I cannot start to imagine how hard it must be to live a life with depression. He was a brilliant showman still and gave us so much through his music ❤️

[@bubble-and-scrape]

This is amazing, thanks for posting!

[@CJFerg81]

You are very welcome 🙂

[@theintruder5401]

Yep brilliant to see all that again, wonderful drummer, big influence on my playing, i had a wander along 'Paul Hester walk' recently on a visit to melbourne, but this is a better tribute to his legacy. Thanks

[@CJFerg81]

Thank you for your kind words. I had been to Melbourne many times since Paul died but it never occured to me to go to Elwood and pay my respects. Hopefully that will happen sometime after the pandemic is over 🤞

[@natalie-avalon8945]

Wonderfully composed video. Very thoughtfully put together for a wonderful and extraordinarily talented man. Miss you Hessie!!

[@callumnyfilmstv]

Great retrospective - thanks for the compilation. Great memories, timeless music. Reminder of just how global their profile was. Onya Hessie.

[@CJFerg81]

You are very welcome. Glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@sharoncole4868]

Thank you Chris, Jeremy and all that put this together. A beautiful tribute to Pauli. His musical skills and especially his clowning around brought joy to many. Miss him😢

[@johnkuipers7829]

You don't realise that his clowning around was a disguise to hide his despair and depression. Tried all anti-depressants I think - none worked. In hindsight of course I can see it. So Chris Ferguson, no insight into that right? No comments whatsoever from you.

[@Joseftaheri]

What's the point speculating about the poor guy's mental health? It was a private struggle and we'll never know for sure what went on in his mind. This video simply celebrates the joy, talent and music Paul brought to the world, how can that be a bad thing?

[@iandc7050]

thank you

[@CJFerg81]

You are very welcome, Ian.

[@jbdsigned]

Thank you sharing. About time we have something to celebrate the true essences of Paul and his creative Genius.It was an honour to work him him in the 80's. Great credit to you Chris.

[@CJFerg81]

Thank you for your kind words, Jody. When I was doing my "research" for the Silent House video I surprised that there was just a couple of short tribute videos to Paul (including one from Neil Finn) but no long-form tribute. So I'm glad to have filled that gap and that Hessie's fans & associates like you enjoy watching it.

[@genghis_connie]

So good. So jubilant and tragic. So very missed. Thanks so much fir putting this together.

[@CJFerg81]

You are very welcome 👍

[@Leh73-m6r]

Paul ❤️

[@Annie_N33333]

Thank you Chris, Peter Green and all involved. This is a beautiful compilation of memories. I laughed I cried. Paul you sweet sweet man. Prayers you are in peace 🌺

[@CJFerg81]

Wow. 3000 views and climbing. Thank you so much to everybody that has taken the time to watch this video and especially those have left some touching tributes in the Comments. #RIPHessie

[@jacquimorgan3100]

Brilliant . So many clips I'd not seen before too. Thank you 👍🙏

[@CJFerg81]

You're very welcome Jacqui

[@Hoodoo04]

Great job Chris. Thankyou. I found this wonderfully inspiring and moving.

[@CJFerg81]

Glad to hear it. You're very welcome 👍

[@cathyaddley8091]

Thank you so much for making this .

[@sallysamways7290]

Paul hester forever

[@samsimpson11]

Absolutely brilliant work. Beautiful tribute

[@CJFerg81]

Thank you Sam. You are very welcome.

[@Finnatic]

Beautiful tribute, thank you

[@CJFerg81]

You are very welcome. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@oscarftorre]

❤❤❤

[@ChrisAbalain]

Chris, this is so good. It deserves to be on Sky Arts or Netflix or something! I was too young to really take all this in in the eighties and nineties so it's so great to see the essence of Paul captured here! Thank you.

[@CJFerg81]

I wish that it would get some kind of television broadcast but there would be so much red-tape to cut in order to get the clearances from all the different companies that the clips came from. The next best thing would be the Crowded House social media pages sharing the links as they have a much bigger audience than I do. Maybe when they've finished their NZ tour... 🤞

[@ChrisAbalain]

@@CJFerg81 yeah I guess that's the job of these big production companies to pay for all the clearances and get a valid reward for it!

[@madeleine9907]

❤

[@leecannon2047]

Fantastic ❤

[@anniem.2303]

TY🌊💜

[@matthewburrows4359]

As a Bi Polar sufferer Paul's death hit me hard. He wa such a sweet zany character. We love you Paul.

[@annakat3754]

Tommy Pickles looks like Paul

[@dorissmith2576]

Too funny

[@luciaalexandria4449]

41 minutos, não pode ser abril de 2005, pois ele morreu em 26 de março 2005