Chesney Hawkes

Chesney Hawkes
Chesney Hawkes pictured on stage in 2008
Background information
Birth name	Chesney Lee Hawkes
Born	(1971-09-22) 22 September 1971 (age 45) Swindon, Wiltshire, England
Origin	Windsor, Berkshire, England
Genres	Pop rock, alternative rock
Occupation(s)	Singer, songwriter, musician
Years active	1990–present
Labels	Chrysalis Records Right Track Records
Website	Official website

Chesney Lee Hawkes (born 22 September 1971), is an English pop singer, songwriter, and occasional actor. He is best known for his 1991 single "The One and Only", which topped the UK Singles Chart, and reached the Top 10 in the United States.

Hawkes was born in Swindon, Wiltshire, to Carol (née Dilworth) and Leonard Hawkes. Chesney was named after the singer and comedian Chesney Allen. His father is the singer Len 'Chip' Hawkes, formerly with the 1960s band The Tremeloes. His mother is former actress/game show hostess, Carol Dilworth, who appeared in an episode of the 1960s version of Randall and Hopkirk called "For The Girl Who Has Everything", as well as the 1969 horror movie The Haunted House of Horror. Keely Hawkes, his sister, was the lead singer of 1990s band Transister, and is currently a songwriter based in Los Angeles. He attended Charters School in Sunningdale.

Hawkes's career began at 19, when he appeared as the title character in the film Buddy's Song. In March 1991, he released his biggest single "The One and Only" from the film's soundtrack, on which his younger brother, Jodie, was the drummer. Written by Nik Kershaw, the song was later featured in the opening credits of Doc Hollywood (1991), starring Michael J. Fox; in the 2009 movie Moon, as the song Sam Rockwell wakes up to every morning; and again in the 2011 film Source Code (also directed by Moon director Duncan Jones) as the mobile phone ringtone of Michelle Monaghan's character. The single spent five weeks at No. 1 in the UK Singles Chart. He has released eight singles including "I'm a Man Not a Boy" and "Another Fine Mess".