Paul Hester

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, Hest

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.