The Chesterfields
Sad News:-
Davey Chesterfield Obituary
Friends of a pioneering entertainer who died in a tragic
hit-and-run
accident have paid tribute to him as one of the greatest musicians a
town has produced. Police are still probing the circumstances
surrounding the death of guitarist and singer David Goldsworthy, aged
40, formerly of Yeovil, in an apparent hit-and-run collision in
Sunderland Avenue, Oxford.
Father-of-two Mr Goldsworthy, a former pupil of Westfield School,
Yeovil, played in numerous bands in the area during the 1980s but hit
the big time playing with guitar-based four-piece The
Chesterfields.
The band was formed in 1984 by Mr Goldsworthy and friend Simon Barber
(bass). They released four albums, including Kettle which reached number
two in the Independent chart in 1987, before finally splitting in 1994.
Mr Barber, 39, of Milborne Port said everyone was stunned by his sudden
death.
He said: "I spoke to him only about five days ago. I still cannot
believe it has happened.
"Dave was probably the most talented songwriter to come out of Yeovil. I
think he came up with the best lyric of the 1980s, which was, 'Instead
of peace and revolution, we have Aids and Whitney Houston'.
"He was a very engaging, sociable person and was an incredibly
charismatic frontman."
During their lifetime the band built up a huge fan base across Britain
and the globe, with regular tours of Europe and Japan. They supported
famous bands such as Primal Scream and singer-songwriter Edwin Collins.
They were also named as influences by Britpop bands Suede, The
Charlatans and angst-ridden Yeovil singer P. J. Harvey.
Friend Brendan Wallis, 39, of Yeovil said: "He was an incredibly
outgoing and gregarious person. He was a real rock and roller who lived
life to the full.
"We all feel shocked and robbed because of the loss of a great talent.
It is just a terrible, unexpected tragedy.
"Him and his music have touched a hell of a lot of people in Yeovil."
Alan Flint, 39, of Smiths Terrace, Yeovil, played with Mr Goldsworthy in
a band called Furnt, which they formed after The Chesterfields had
broken up, and shared a house with him.
He said: "He was really good fun to be with and anyone who came to him
and wanted to try out musical ideas he was always very encouraging. He
was an inspiration, not just to me but to many musicians in the area.
"I was totally shocked when I heard it had happened. He seemed to be
going through a quiet time in his life. He had moved in with his parents
in a sleepy part of Oxford."
A post mortem examination revealed Mr Goldsworthy died from head injuries.
Officers from Thames Valley Police are still keeping an open mind as to
the circumstances but believe the death may be due to a non-stop traffic
collision. An inquest into the incident was opened and adjourned by
Oxfordshire coroners last week.
While the police investigation continues a date has not been finalised
for his funeral but Mr Barber said he was preparing a massive gig in memory of Mr
Goldworthy'
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