Most people remember the black glove, the slicked-back hair, and the glam-rock swagger. Fewer realize that the man behind Alvin Stardust had already lived an entire musical life under a different name — one he inherited from a singer who died before he turned twenty.
Real name: Bernard William Jewry ·
Stage name: Alvin Stardust ·
Born: 27 September 1942 ·
Died: 23 October 2014 ·
UK top 40 hits: 12 ·
Children: 3
Quick snapshot
- Bernard Jewry performed as both Shane Fenton and Alvin Stardust (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia))
- He died of prostate cancer on 23 October 2014 (The Guardian (British daily newspaper))
- He had 12 UK top 40 hits as Alvin Stardust (Cross Rhythms (Christian music magazine))
- Exact net worth not publicly documented
- Religious affiliation not confirmed in mainstream sources
- Precise birthplace differs between Muswell Hill and London in some records
- 1961: Adopted name Shane Fenton after original singer died (The Telegraph (British broadsheet))
- 1973: Reinvented as Alvin Stardust, released “My Coo Ca Choo” (The Guardian)
- 2014: Died at age 72 after brief illness (The Scotsman (Scottish newspaper))
- His music continues to stream on platforms; estate manages legacy
- No posthumous releases or biographical films announced
- Family maintains private life; no public disputes
Six key facts at a glance, one pattern: the same man wore two stage identities across five decades, yet the public face remained the glam-rock glove.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Born | 27 September 1942 |
| Died | 23 October 2014 |
| Cause of death | Prostate cancer |
| Spouse | Liza Goddard (1981-1984) |
| Children | 3 |
| UK top 40 hits | 12 |
Did Shane Fenton change his name to Alvin Stardust?
What was Alvin Stardust’s real name?
Alvin Stardust was born Bernard William Jewry on 27 September 1942, according to Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia). He first performed as Shane Fenton in the early 1960s after the original vocalist of that name died of rheumatic fever. The Telegraph (British broadsheet) reported that Marty Wilde turned down the chance to front the band, and Bernard Jewry stepped in, taking the dead singer’s name.
“Jewry adopted the name Shane Fenton after the original singer died, and later changed to Alvin Stardust to revive his career.”
— Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia)
Why did he change names?
By the early 1970s, the Fentones had disbanded and Jewry’s career had stalled. He reinvented himself as Alvin Stardust in 1973, borrowing the name from a character his girlfriend suggested. The new persona came with a studded leather glove, a quiff, and a rockabilly-meets-glam look. His first single under the new name, “My Coo Ca Choo,” reached the UK top 40, as noted by Cross Rhythms (Christian music magazine).
For Jewry, shedding the Shane Fenton identity meant losing a modest fan base but gaining a blank slate. The gamble paid off: Alvin Stardust sold millions, while the old name faded into 1960s trivia.
The pattern: each name change was a deliberate relaunch, not an artistic whim.
What happened to Shane Fenton?
When did Shane Fenton die?
Bernard Jewry, still widely known as Shane Fenton to early fans, died on 23 October 2014 at his home in West Sussex after a brief illness, aged 72. The Guardian (British daily newspaper) reported his death and confirmed he had been suffering from prostate cancer.
What was the cause of death?
According to The Scotsman (Scottish newspaper), the underlying illness was metastatic prostate cancer. He had continued performing until shortly before his death, even touring with a reduced schedule.
The implication: his late-career vitality makes the 2014 diagnosis all the more abrupt.
What are some of Shane Fenton’s best songs?
Top hits as Shane Fenton and the Fentones
As Shane Fenton, Jewry released several singles between 1961 and 1963. The most notable include “Cindy’s Birthday” and “My Little Girl”, which charted in the UK lower top 40. According to Real Life Stories (documentary site), the band sent demos to the BBC and gained radio play.
Top hits as Alvin Stardust
The Alvin Stardust era produced 12 UK top 40 singles. His debut “My Coo Ca Choo” (1973) reached number 2 on the UK Singles Chart. The follow-up “Jealous Mind” (1974) went to number 1, as reported by Cross Rhythms (Christian music magazine). Other hits include “Pretend”, “Red Dress”, and “Good Love Can Never Die”.
- 1973: “My Coo Ca Choo” — UK #2
- 1974: “Jealous Mind” — UK #1
- 1974: “Red Dress” — UK #7
- 1975: “Pretend” — UK #12
- 1975: “Good Love Can Never Die” — UK #11
The commercial peak of Alvin Stardust came within two years. After 1975, his chart presence declined, but the hits remain the most-streamed part of his catalog on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.
What this means: the two phases of his career appeal to different audiences, but the glam-era numbers still travel best.
Why did Alvin Stardust wear a glove?
Was the glove due to an injury?
No — the glove was purely a stage gimmick. In an interview with Gold Radio (UK oldies radio station), Stardust said, “It was just a gimmick, nothing more.” He wore a black studded leather glove on his right hand, which became his visual trademark.
What was the inspiration?
The look was inspired by 1950s rockabilly style and early glam rock theatrics. Stardust paired the glove with tightly curled hair and heavy eye makeup. According to The Guardian (British daily newspaper), the glove helped him stand out in a crowded market dominated by David Bowie, Marc Bolan, and Slade.
“It was just a gimmick, nothing more.”
— Alvin Stardust, speaking to Gold Radio (UK oldies radio station)
What this means: the glove was a marketing shortcut, not an artistic statement.
Was Alvin Stardust married to Liza Goddard?
How many children did Alvin Stardust have?
Yes, Alvin Stardust married actress Liza Goddard in 1981. The marriage ended in divorce three years later, in 1984. He had three children overall: a son Shaun from his first marriage (to a woman named Julie Ann O’Neal), and two daughters, Sophie and Maisie, with his partner after Goddard. His religion is not publicly documented, and he lived in various places including Yorkshire and West Sussex.
For fans curious about the man behind the glove: his personal life was remarkably quiet compared to his stage persona. No scandals, no public feuds — just a career that lasted from rock & roll to glam.
The catch: his private stability contrasted sharply with his glam-stage persona.
Timeline: The two lives of Bernard Jewry
- 27 September 1942 — Bernard William Jewry born in Mansfield (or Muswell Hill, sources differ) (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia))
- 1961 — Adopts stage name Shane Fenton after original singer’s death; first singles with the Fentones (The Telegraph (British broadsheet))
- 1963 — Band disbands; Jewry works various jobs, performs under other names (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia))
- 1973 — Reinvents as Alvin Stardust; releases “My Coo Ca Choo” (The Guardian (British daily newspaper))
- 1974 — “Jealous Mind” hits No. 1 in the UK (Cross Rhythms (Christian music magazine))
- 1981 — Marries actress Liza Goddard (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia))
- 1984 — Divorces Liza Goddard (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia))
- 23 October 2014 — Dies of prostate cancer at home in West Sussex (The Scotsman (Scottish newspaper))
Career span: 53 years · Stage names: 3 (Shane Fenton, Alvin Stardust, Bernard Jewry) · Top 40 hits: 12
Confirmed facts
- Bernard Jewry performed as Shane Fenton and Alvin Stardust (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia))
- He died of prostate cancer on 23 October 2014 (The Guardian (British daily newspaper))
- He was married to Liza Goddard 1981-1984 (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia))
- He had three children (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia))
- He wore a studded glove as a stage gimmick (Gold Radio (UK oldies radio station))
- He had 12 UK top 40 singles as Alvin Stardust (Cross Rhythms (Christian music magazine))
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth not publicly documented
- Religious affiliation not confirmed in mainstream sources
- Precise birthplace differs between Muswell Hill and London in some records
- Exact location of death varies among Ifold, Billinghurst, and Horsham, West Sussex (German Wikipedia notes discrepancy)
In his own words
“It was just a gimmick, nothing more.”
— Alvin Stardust, explaining his signature glove to Gold Radio (UK oldies radio station)
“Jewry adopted the name Shane Fenton after the original singer died, and later changed to Alvin Stardust to revive his career.”
— Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia)
Legacy: What remains
For music fans who grew up with glam rock, Alvin Stardust represents an era when a glove and a catchy chorus could make a star. The dual identity he carried — first borrowing a dead singer’s name, then inventing a new one — is a rare case of successful reinvention. For streaming-era listeners discovering “Jealous Mind” for the first time, the lesson is straightforward: a good hook outlives any persona. The trade-off for Jewry was that he never fully escaped the shadow of his own stagecraft; his later attempts at acting and touring never matched the 1970s peak. For a performer who started as a replacement for a dead teenager, that peak remains his lasting legacy.
kids.kiddle.co, de.wikipedia.org, civicinsight.uk, imdb.com, goldradio.com, culture.fandom.com
Frequently asked questions
How much was Alvin Stardust worth?
Exact net worth has not been publicly documented. Estimates vary widely; no credible source has confirmed a specific figure.
Where did Alvin Stardust live?
He lived in several places during his life, including Yorkshire and a final home in West Sussex (Ifold area).
What religion was Alvin Stardust?
His religious affiliation is not confirmed in any public biographical source. He did not discuss it in interviews.
What was Alvin Stardust’s first hit?
His first hit as Alvin Stardust was “My Coo Ca Choo,” which reached No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart in 1973.
How did Alvin Stardust and Liza Goddard meet?
They met through mutual friends in the entertainment industry in the late 1970s and married in 1981. Details of their courtship are not widely documented.
Related reading
The catch: more detailed discographies live on fan databases.
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Edward Davies Bennett is Editor-in-Chief and Responsible Publisher at Insight Britain, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and the corrections process.