Paul Hester Dies

Paul Hester, former drummer with Split Enz and Crowded House, died in Melbourne, Australia, March 25th.

Hester, 47, apparently hung himself in a park near his house. He left behind two daughters, aged 10 and 8. Hester separated from his long time partner, photographer Mardi Sommerfeld, some years before.

“It was a travesty and a tragedy,” said Grant Thomas, who managed both Split Enz and Crowded House.

The drummer was known for his fast wit and love for anecdotes, but also suffered from bouts of depression.

He was working on a solo album at the time of his death, and had re-signed to host another series of live showcase “Music Max Sessions” with Foxtel cable channel.

With Crowded House’s greatest hits album, Recurring Dream, set to overtake Savage Garden’s self-titled debut as biggest selling Australian album by an Australian band later this year, there was a chance of the band reuniting for a show or tour.

A DVD of the band’s farewell concert to 100,000 on the steps of Sydney Opera House is set for release at the end of the year.

“The music industry has lost a real personality. It was an honour for me to work with someone like that. He was very talented and very funny,” Thomas added.