Paul Newell Hester (January 8, 1959 – March 26, 2005) was the drummer with Split Enz and Crowded House. He was born in Melbourne, Australia. From an early age, Hester was encouraged by his mother to learn to play the drums (she was a jazz drummer), and he was soon displaying his talent. Hester tried out various jobs before starting a musical career. In 1980 he co-founded a band called Cheks, which in 1982 changed into Deckchairs Overboard .

New Zealand group Split Enz needed a new drummer at the end of 1983; Hester was auditioned on advice of Rob Hirst of Midnight Oil and got the job. When Split Enz split up in 1984, Hester and Neil Finn decided to start a new band. This became Crowded House. He remained in the band until 1994, when the pressure of touring and the added element of his first daughter made him want to go home, rather than be on the road.

After leaving Crowded House, Hester appeared on many TV and radio shows in Australia, and opened a restaurant in Elwood Beach in Melbourne. He later became involved in a new band called Largest Living Things , and released a few EPs in Australia. Hester also had a recurring role as "Paul the Cook" on the popular Australian children's television show, The Wiggles.

At some stage on March 26, 2005, Hester is reported to have committed suicide. His body was found in a local park, and it was reported that he had hanged himself. Hester had split from the mother of his two daughters (aged 8 and 10 at the time of his death) and had recently abandoned plans to marry a girlfriend. It is believed that he had been suffering from depression for a number of years.

External links and references

• R.I.P. Paul Hester (Paul Cashmere, Undercover, 26 March 2005)