Chas Chandler
Chas Chandler was born in Heaton, Newcastle Upon Tyne, England on 18/12/1938. After finishing school he went to work on the Tyneside ship yards. He learned to play guitar. In 1962 he switched to play bass when he joined The Alan Price Trio. Eric Burdon joined the trio and they renamed themselves The Animals. Chandler would contribute backing vocals as well as bass and cowrote some of the songs. In 1966 Chandler decided to leave, disillusioned by the lack of income he had from the band and amidst several lineup changes. During his last tour with The Animals Chandler saw Jimi Hendrix playing at The Cafe Wha? in New York. Chandler became a talent scout, artist manager, and record producer after leaving The Animals and convinced Hendrix to join him on returning to England. Chandler recruited Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell to join Hendrix to form the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Chandler drove Hendrix's success and financed the early recordings before he had a record contract. He also introduced Hendrix to Eric Clapton. It was Chandler's idea to set his guitar on fire. By 1968 Chandler had become less interested with Jimi's recording, feeling that the music was too self indulgent. So he left management to Michael Jeffrey. Chandler then went on to manage the band Slade. He was their manager for the next 12 years, during which time they had 6 uk number one hits.He bought IBC Studios which he renamed Portland Recording Studios and ran it for four years. He ran several record labels, including Barn Records and Six of the Best. In addition he had a music publishing agency, as well as a production company and management companies.
In 1977 and 1983 Chandler played and recorded with the Animals during two short reunions.
In the 1990s, he helped finance the development of Newcastle Arena.
On 17 July 1996, Chandler died of an aortic aneurysm at Newcastle General Hospital. At his former home in 37 Second Avenue, Heaton he is remembered with a black plaque.