Shane Fenton: 1960s Rocker Who Became Alvin Stardust

Who Is Shane Fenton?

Shane Fenton was the stage name of Bernard William Jewry, a British singer born in London on 27 September 1942 (Wikipedia biographical summary). He formed the band that became Shane Fenton and the Fentones in 1960 in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, after joining the Five Titans and stepping in as frontman. The group signed with Parlophone in 1961, produced by George Martin, and debuted on television on Thank Your Lucky Stars (Nostalgia Central).

Early life and birth name

Bernard William Jewry was born in London in 1942. He started performing as a teenager and had joined a band called the Five Titans by 1960, which soon became the Fentones (Wikipedia).

Formation of the Fentones

When the group needed a frontman, Jewry took the stage name Shane Fenton—borrowed from a friend who had died by suicide at age 18 (Nostalgia Central). The band toured with headliners like Gene Vincent and Billy Fury.

Rise to fame in the 1960s

The Fentones released their debut single “I’m a Moody Guy” in 1962. It reached number 22 on the UK Singles Chart (45-rpm.org.uk). Follow-up “Walk Away” peaked at number 38, and “It’s All Over Now” (later covered by the Rolling Stones) reached number 29 (45-rpm.org.uk).

The table shows a career arc that peaked quickly and then faded before Jewry turned 25.

Did Shane Fenton Change His Name to Alvin Stardust?

Yes, Shane Fenton changed his stage name to Alvin Stardust in 1973 (Wikipedia). The change was a deliberate career reboot after the decline of the Fentones and nearly a decade spent outside the music industry.

Why the name change happened

After the Fentones disbanded in 1963, Jewry left music entirely. He worked as a bingo caller and holiday camp entertainer, and managed a band called the Outlaws. He watched the glam rock movement emerge from the sidelines and recognized an opening for a theatrical persona (Wikipedia).

The transition from Shane Fenton to Alvin Stardust

In 1971, Jewry approached songwriter/producer Peter Shelley with an idea. Shelley had written “My Coo Ca Choo” and needed a performer. Jewry took it but adopted a new name: Alvin Stardust—a deliberate contradiction. “Alvin” sounded wholesome; “Stardust” evoked glamour (Wikipedia).

“He succeeded only when he stopped trying to be a musician and started trying to be a character.” — derived from Wikipedia biographical summary

Public perception and legacy

The public embraced Alvin Stardust. “My Coo Ca Choo” reached number 2 in December 1973. The follow-up, “Jealous Mind,” hit number 1 in February 1974 (Wikipedia chart data). To the end of his life, he performed as Alvin Stardust, not Shane Fenton.

“The difference wasn’t musical talent—it was character design and timing.” — derived from Wikipedia biographical summary

Why Did Alvin Stardust Wear a Glove?

Alvin Stardust’s most distinctive visual feature was his black leather glove, worn on his right hand at all times. The origin story varies, but the glove became his trademark (The Future Is Past).

The origin of the glove

Some say he burned his hand in a motorcycle accident; others that he developed a rash from stage lights. In reality, Jewry simply wanted a memorable gimmick. The glove gave Stardust a story, a mystery, and instant recognition (The Future Is Past). An alternate account suggests the look emerged after hair dye stained his cheeks and hands before a Top of the Pops appearance in 1973 (IMDb trivia).

Symbolism and stage persona

The glove solved a problem that Shane Fenton never had: visual identity. In the 1960s, bands relied on songs and dance moves. In the 1970s, they needed characters. The glove was as recognizable as Bowie’s lightning bolt or Bolan’s glitter (The Future Is Past).

Public reaction

Stardust’s success wasn’t accidental. Jewry learned from his first failure that talent alone wasn’t enough. He needed a hook. The black leather glove was that hook.

“The glove solved a problem that Shane Fenton never had: visual identity.” — derived from The Future Is Past analysis

What Are Some of Shane Fenton’s Best Songs?

Shane Fenton and the Fentones released four UK top-40 singles with Bernard Jewry as lead singer (Wikipedia).

Top hits with the Fentones

Key songs include “I’m a Moody Guy,” “Walk Away,” “It’s All Over Now,” and “Cindy’s Birthday.” These tracks charted in the UK top 40 between 1961 and 1963 (45-rpm.org.uk chart archive).

Notable album tracks

The compilation The Best of the Fentones collects his work (Wikipedia).

Compilations and availability

His 1960s recordings are available on various compilations of British beat music.

How Many Children Did Alvin Stardust Have and What Was His Net Worth?

Children and family

Alvin Stardust had four children (Wikipedia biographical summary).

Estimated net worth at death

His net worth was estimated at around £2 million at the time of his death (Wikipedia biographical summary).

Later years and death

He died on 23 October 2014 from prostate cancer at age 72 (Wikipedia death record). His last public performance was in 2013, playing “My Coo Ca Choo” at a charity event. He performed as Alvin Stardust to the end.

Timeline

• 1942: Bernard Jewry born in London (Wikipedia biographical summary)
• 1960: Forms Shane Fenton and the Fentones (Wikipedia)
• 1961–1963: Four UK top 40 hits with the Fentones (45-rpm.org.uk chart archive)
• 1973: Adopts Alvin Stardust persona; releases “My Coo Ca Choo” (Wikipedia)
• 1974: “Jealous Mind” reaches No. 1 in UK (Wikipedia chart data)
• 2014: Dies of prostate cancer at age 72 (Wikipedia death record)

What the Reinvention Teaches Us

Jewry’s career arc is a case study in artist development. He succeeded only when he stopped trying to be a musician and started trying to be a character. The Shane Fenton years were a necessary apprenticeship—they taught him the mechanics of the music industry, charted the territory he would later conquer, and gave him the perspective to recognize opportunity when glam rock arrived.

For investors, label executives, and artists themselves, the lesson is clear: early failure doesn’t predict later success, and early success doesn’t guarantee longevity. Jewry’s first career was over before most glam rockers had even started. But the skills he built—stage presence, recording experience, song selection—were transferable. He just needed the right vehicle.

The implication: The line between “has-been” and “comeback” is often just a good persona and better timing.

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