Chesney allen biography

1. Biography of Chesney Allen
2. Early Life and Meeting with Bud Flanagan
3. Comedic Style and The Crazy Gang
4. Popularity during World War II
5. Duo Split and Later Years

Biography of Chesney Allen

Chesney Allen, a popular British comedian, gained his greatest fame during World War II as part of the duo "Flanagan and Allen".

Flanagan primarily sang, as he had a magnificent voice, while Allen provided backing vocals. He began his career in straight acting, making his debut in stock at the Wimbledon Theatre, London, in 1912. Songs like "We're Going To Hang Out The Washing On The Siegfried Line" mocked the German defences (Siegfried Line), while others like "Miss You" sang of missing one's sweetheart during enforced absences.

They were frequently quoted and even parodied by their colleagues. In 1931, they joined the renowned British comedy group "The Crazy Gang", which started performing at the Palladium in London. In 1982, Allen participated in the recording of an album for the show "Underneath the Arches", marking his final work. Flanagan and Allen were both also members of The Crazy Gang and worked with that team for many years concurrently.

Flanagan and Allen's songs featured the same, usually gentle humour for which the duo were known in their live performances, and during the war reflected the experiences of ordinary people during wartime.

The vocals were distinctive because while Flanagan was at least a competent singer and sang the melody lines, Allen used an almost spoken delivery to provide the harmonies.

Flanagan and Allen stopped performing together with Chesney Allen"s retirement on health grounds in the late 1950s following the penultimate season of the Crazy Gang"s show at the Victoria Palace Theatre in London (His place for the final season was taken by "Monsewer" Eddie Gray), although he continued working in theatrical management and returned to make occasional guest appearances.

His last recording was for the album of the stage show Underneath the Arches in 1982.

The music was usually melodic, following a binary verse, verse chorus structure, with a small dance band or orchestra providing the backing. Other songs such as their best known "Underneath the Arches" (which Flanagan co-wrote with Reg Connelly) had universal themes such as friendship, which again, helped people relate to the subject matter.

They were later noticed by television producer Val Parnell, who helped them break into the big screen.

Comedic Style and The Crazy Gang

In their performances, Flanagan and Allen often combined humor and music, delivering highly amusing songs. As music hall comedians, they would often feature a mixture of comedy and music in their act and this led to a successful recording career as a duo with Bud Flanagan from 1924 and roles in film and television.

Allen returned to make occasional guest appearances. In 1968, Bud Flanagan passed away, and Chesney Allen made fewer public appearances. Other songs such as their best known "Underneath the Arches" (which Flanagan co-wrote with Regional Connelly) had universal themes such as friendship, which again, helped people relate to the subject matter.

The music was usually melodic, following a binary verse–verse–chorus structure, with a small dance band or orchestra providing the backing.

Background

He was born William Ernest Chesney Allen in Battersea, London, married Aleta Cosette Turner in Leeds in 1926 and died in Midhurst, Sussex, England.