One of the telegrams at my friend Denis’ wedding was from Charles Hodges and David Peacock. It was hastily written on a scrap of packaging from a new shirt, the only available piece of paper when best man James bumped into them in a London pub.
They were Chas and Dave, the creators of “Rockney”, a uniquely East End of London sound that made them stars in the 1980s.
Chas passed away this week and this contribution came out.
Eminem’s breakout record “My Name Is” sampled Labi Siffre’s 1975 tune “I Got The…” And the famous riff that Eminem lifted? Played by Chas and Dave.
Of course not the only contribution by scruffy-bearded Englishmen to the history of rap. 2Pac’s California Love: