Person    | Male  Born 7/3/1900  Died 18/8/1969

Leslie Hutchinson

Categories: Music / songs, Race Issues

Countries: Caribbean Islands, USA

Singer and pianist who performed under the name of 'Hutch'. Born Leslie Arthur Julien Hutchinson in Gouyave, Grenada. He moved to New York with the intention of studying medicine, but started singing and playing in bars instead. He came to London in 1927 and rapidly became one of the biggest stars of the era. Even though he appeared at lavish venues, racial discrimination obliged him to enter them by the servants' entrance. His 'physique' also made him popular with many leading celebrities of the day, with Cole Porter, Ivor Novello and Tallulah Bankhead being among his reputed lovers. It was his supposed liaison with Edwina Mountbatten that led to his downfall. The 'affaire' threatened the reputation of the royal family, and after an article was published in the 'People' newspaper, King George V put pressure on the Mountbattens to sue for libel. As his career declined he squandered the millions he had made and died in near poverty at the New End Hospital, Hampstead. The Camden New Journal has some more information.

Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Leslie Hutchinson

Commemorated ati

Leslie Hutchinson

Unveiled by Stephen Fry.

Read More

Other Subjects

Sammy Davis Jnr

Sammy Davis Jnr

Born Harlem in New York City into a show-biz family.  Hit the big-time in 1951.  Lost his left eye in a car crash in 1954.  Member of Sinatra's Rat Pack.  In 1967 on TV he greeted Frank's daughter,...

Person, Cinema, Dance, Music / songs, Seriously Famous, Theatre, USA

1 memorial
The Ealing Club

The Ealing Club

It originally opened in January 1959 as the 'Ealing Jazz Club', changing its name when it became London's first regular rhythm and blues venue. It was here that Mick Jagger and Keith Richards were ...

Place, Music / songs

1 memorial
Michael Fadil

Michael Fadil

Fadil fell into the River Lea on a freezing January evening. From Hackney Gazette: "Police were called shortly after 7pm after the man reportedly fell from a boat near to Lea Bridge and The Prince...

Person, Music / songs, Tragedy

1 memorial
Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson

Singer-songwriter. Born in Gary, Indiana.  Arguably the most successful performer of modern times. From 1965, he was the lead singer in the Jackson Five, which had four consecutive number one hits....

Person, Music / songs, Seriously Famous, USA

1 memorial
George Webb

George Webb

Pianist and band leader. Born George Horace Webb. His enthusiasm for jazz prompted him to found the George Webb's Dixielanders band in the early 1940s who performed at the Red Barn public house in ...

Person, Music / songs

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Human BSE Foundation

Human BSE Foundation

The Human BSE Foundation website seems to have moved and we cannot locate it.

Group, Medicine

1 memorial
St Margaret, Fish Street Hill

St Margaret, Fish Street Hill

Lost in the Great Fire and not rebuilt.  Stood where the Monument now stands.

Building, Religion

1 memorial
Florence Nightingale - Harley Street

Florence Nightingale - Harley Street

W1, Harley Street, 90

We think the history of this hospital is that: it was opened on 15 March 1850 as the Establishment for Gentlewomen During Temporary Illne...

1 subject commemorated
Charity scholars

Charity scholars

Looking at London has a page about these little blue people but even there we can find no origin story explaining why and when the first such statues were erected. We note that there seems to be a ...

Group, Education, Philanthropy

23 memorials
French Protestant Church

French Protestant Church

Persecuted in France, about 50,000 Huguenots fled to Britain where Edward VI granted them asylum. The French Protestant Church of London was established by Royal Charter in 1550. It took over the T...

Building, Religion, France

3 memorials