Jesse Hector, a pivotal figure in British rock'n'roll, has died at the age of 78 after suffering a heart attack. He was widely regarded as one of the genre's unsung heroes, leaving behind a legacy of electrifying performances and influential music.
Early life and musical beginnings
Born in Kilburn, north-west London, to Doll (Dorothy), a seamstress, and Harry, a toolmaker, Jesse discovered Elvis Presley and rock'n'roll in 1956. After acquiring a guitar and some lessons, he performed at the famous 2i's club as a teenager. In 1961, at just 14 years old, he recorded an EP with his Rock & Roll Trio, one of the few authentic British rock recordings from the pre-Beatles era. A planned session with producer Joe Meek never materialized.
The rise of high-voltage bands
During the early 1970s, Jesse led a series of dynamic bands that foreshadowed both the hard-edged glam style of Slade and the punk movement. These included Crushed Butler, Helter Skelter, and the Hammersmith Gorillas. His scintillating guitar work, ferocious vocals, and commanding stage presence made him a standout performer.
In 1974, the Gorillas released a raucous cover of the Kinks' You Really Got Me. By 1976, they were aligned with the emerging punk scene, delivering a show-stopping set at the Mont de Marsan punk festival in France, where Jesse developed a devoted following. Television appearances followed, and the Gorillas reached their peak with the classic singles She's My Gal and Gatecrasher in 1977. Mark Perry of the punk fanzine Sniffin Glue described Jesse as “a cross between Jimi Hendrix and Noddy Holder.”
Definitive album and retirement
The 1978 album Message to the World is considered Jesse's definitive statement, merging punk energy with a fervent belief in the spiritual power of rock'n'roll. However, following the death of his friend and bandmate Alan Butler in the early 1980s, Jesse retired from music.
Later years and return
After spending the 1960s drifting through the London music scene and observing acts like the Jimi Hendrix Experience and Small Faces' Steve Marriott, Jesse returned in the mid-1990s with two new bands, the Sound and the Gatecrashers. He proved that his trademark guitar skills, vocal acrobatics, and hypnotic stage presence remained intact. After a few years, he retreated to work as an office cleaner, but remained a totemic figure for a dedicated fanbase. He was a regular at north London record shops and his local pub, the Spread Eagle in Camden Town, where the author met and befriended him.
Jesse's brother Alan predeceased him in 2009. He is survived by his nephew, George.
