Dec 20, 2020: Chad Stuart, of Britain’s Chad & Jeremy—Obituary
by Best Classic Bands Staff
Chad Stuart (left) and Jeremy Clyde, in 1966 (Photo from their Wikipedia page)
Chad Stuart, the bespectacled half of the British Invasion-era Chad and Jeremy, died December 20, 2020. The cause was pneumonia. Stuart turned 79 on Dec. 10. The duo is known for such ’60s hits as “Yesterday’s Gone,” “A Summer Song” and “Willow Weep for Me.”
The exact place of Stuart’s death was not made public. Stuart’s death was confirmed in a post on the duo’s Facebook page, which reads:
“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Chad Stuart, a father, a husband, a brother, a grandfather, a friend, a mentor, a teacher and an inspiration to many. Chad developed pneumonia (non-Covid related) after he was admitted to the hospital due to a fall. We ask for love, celebration but also space while the family adjusts to life without this incredible force. The family would like to thank his fans from around the world for the outpouring of birthday wishes and gifts he received every year. Chad took the time to read each and every card. The world has lost a legend today, but his voice will continue to touch our lives through his music.”
Chad Stuart
David Stuart Chadwick was born on Dec. 10, 1941, in Windermere, Westmorland, England, and met Jeremy Clyde while attending London’s Central School of Speech and Drama. The friends started a singing duo in 1962, briefly split while Clyde pursued a career in theater, then reunited in 1963. Their first hit single in the U.K. was the upbeat folk-rock tune “Yesterday’s Gone,” which also became their first American hit in early 1964, released on the World Artists label. It reached #21 on the national Billboard singles chart.
Jeremy Clyde turned 82 on March 22, 2023.
Watch Chad and Jeremy sing “Yesterday’s Gone” in 1964
Chad and Jeremy enjoyed a brief but prolific run. Their second American hit, the gorgeous ballad “A Summer Song,” became their most successful, peaking at #7 in the late summer of 1964. Their cover of the 1930s standard “Willow Weep for Me” reached #15, and was followed by “If I Loved You” (#23). Switching to Columbia Records, the pair’s next hit, “Before and After,” became their final top 20 entry, peaking at #17 in the spring of 1965.
Related: 12 “Lost” British Invasion hits
They continued to release singles and albums on Columbia, with a couple of those LPs, notably 1967’s psychedelic Of Cabbages and Kings, finding some favor on FM rock radio.
Chad and Jeremy also made appearances on a number of American television programs, including the sitcoms The Dick Van Dyke Show and The Patty Duke Show. They even appeared on the Western Laredo and, notably, on two episodes of Batman.
Here they are, singing “A Teenage Failure,” on Batman
By late 1968, however, the duo’s run had come to an end and both Stuart and Clyde went on to pursue separate careers. There were numerous reunions later, starting with the 1982 album Chad Stuart & Jeremy Clyde, and they also starred in a West End London musical in the ’80s. Their last album together was 2010’s Fifty Years On.
Stuart subsequently retired from music and moved to Idaho, where he remained until his passing. Clyde, meanwhile, teamed for a few tours with Peter Asher, half of the similar English duo Peter and Gordon.
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Watch Chad and Jeremy perform “A Summer Song” on American Bandstand in 1964
Related: Musicians we lost in 2020
12 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationI am so sad. I got to interview Chad a couple of times in 2006 and 2014 when he and Jeremy had regrouped and toured themselves as well as with the British Invasion 50th Anniversary Tour (2014-15). I last saw them perform a couple of years ago in Wilmington, DE, before Chad retired for good. RIP
I hear these songs and think back to when we didn’t have a care in the world. This music defined a generation. The music today has no soul
I agree, today’s music has no soul. How sad. I’m grateful I grew up in the 60s & 70s. Music was life for us.
How very very true re today’s music and today’s world. I also grew up at that time and the 50’s 60’s and even early 70’s had so much meaning
Chad and Jeremy were always my favorites. Rest in peace Chad.
Was very fortunate to see Chad and Jeremy in Evanston Illinois at Space.
It was a very enjoyable show with fun stories in between songs. Chad was a bit out of focus for some of the evening, yet was right on cue musically. It was very sweet to see them together and they sounded great.
Sorry to see that kind and talented guy leave us.
So many gone this year. Jerry Slick! Those opening drums on Sally Go Round Roses! Brilliant.
Chad and Jeremy are the best. I hope Chad’s son, James Patrick Stuart, has good luck with his singing career and he does on general hospital. Rest In Peace, Chad. My sympathies to Jeremy as well; he and Chad are still the best.
I saw them perform a few years ago at The Barn at Wolftrap in Virginia. Their songs and stories made for a memorable evening. After the show they chatted with the audience. Both very nice guys.
I saw them in 2010 in Berwyn, IL. They were wonderful and as good as ever. I am so sad to hear about Chad. Rest in peace. You will be greatly missed.
The first time I heard “Summer Song was when I was in junior high school. I was sleeping over at my best friend’s house to celebrate the last day of school. She had set the radio alarm to our favorite station, and when it came on “Summer Song ” was playing. Neither of us had heard it before, and just lay there listening to it. It was such a lovely way to start summer vacation!
Only these …
They say that all good things must end someday
Autumn leaves must fall
But don’t you know that it hurts me so
To say goodbye to you
Wish you didn’t have to go
No, no, no, no
Their last album, “The Ark”, was a little heard diamond.