Chas and Dave: No more knees-up as duo split

[Bronson Lee]

Or Rabbit rabbit rabbit .... silence.

Chas and Dave, the popular cockneys whose knees-up music was as much part of the soundtrack to the 1980s as U2 or Madonna, announced today they are to split up.

Responsible for hits like Rabbit, Rabbit, Ain't No Pleasing You and Snooker Loopy, Chas and Dave performed together for nearly four decades. They have called it a day after Dave Peacock's wife, Sue, died from lung cancer.

Singer and pianist Chas Hodges, 65, who will continue to perform as Chas and his Band, confirmed the split today. "Obviously it's sad. It's the end of an era, but the start of another one - the show goes on," he told the Daily Mail.

"I still see Dave every week and he's coping, but I don't think he wanted to do the gigging any more. He has horses and he loves driving them round his grounds and painting gypsy wagons, which he's very good at, so I don't think he'll miss the gigging," he added.

Chas and Dave took the cockney knees-up (in the rub-a-dub round the old joanna) and turned it into something that sold beyond the sound of the Bow bells. After opening for Led Zeppelin at the 1979 Knebworth festival, the duo quickly made a name for themselves, and despite only having three top 10 hits, they became national symbols, the musical equivalent of pie and mash. In 2005 they were invited to play at Glastonbury festival, which Chas claimed was one of the proudest moments of their career.

A statement from the band paid tribute to Sue Peacock, who worked with the band throughout their career. "Sue worked tirelessly on the side of the business that musicians just aren't good at. It's accurate to say that without Sue and Joan (Chas's wife), there wouldn't have been Chas and Dave.

"To say that Sue's death leaves a gaping hole in the lives of so many is an understatement beyond compare."

It is thought that Dave may occasionally perform again with Chas in the future.

[Peter]

I was hoping the were going to headline the Olympics opening ceremony.

[colonel]

Chas Hodges and both Page and Jones were old mates- leading 60s session musicians with the likes of Clem Cattini and Nicky Hopkins. I presume that calls were made; or a trip down the pub.

Just as Cattini turned down the drummer stool with the Zeppelin after Moon turned it down but before Bonham accepted, I wonder if Chas was ever considered for that gig.

Chas was also drummer with Dave Berry and the Outlaws. Richie Blackmore was guitarist; and both were in Joe Meek's regular backing band.

[colonel]

I'm going mental here- of course Chas Hodges isn't a f**king drummer...I meant pianist in the Outlaws.

[Robches]

I don't Adam and Eve it.

[number 6]

There aint no pleasing you.

[Sarah Kelly]

Having asked,Incredlously,your absolutely right! They opened for Led Zep...Next doors 15yr old son plays them alot,and im quite getting into them,tho its murder when he tries playing along on his les paul!nervous! x