Ever heard of Leslie “Hutch” Hutchinson? This blue plaque commemorates a star. Hutch was a Grenada-born singer and pianist. He became one of the biggest cabaret stars in the 1920s and 1930s.
Leslie Arthur Julien Hutchinson was born in 1900. He took piano lessons as a child. Hutch moved to Harlem in his teens. He initially intended to study medicine. Instead, he began playing piano and singing in clubs.
In Harlem, Hutch joined a black band. Henry “Broadway” Jones led this band. They often played for white millionaires. The Ku Klux Klan hated this. In 1924, Hutch left America for Paris. He had a residency at Joe Zelli’s club. He became friends with Cole Porter there.
Edwina Mountbatten encouraged him to move to England. Hutch opened at the Café de Paris in 1927. He performed with Opal Cooper. Hutch then became the second pianist in a musical. It was called “One Dam’ Thing After Another.” He soon became a society darling.
Hutch was a favorite singer of the Prince of Wales. He was one of Britain’s biggest stars. For a time, he was the highest-paid performer. He was regularly on the BBC. One of his biggest hits was “These Foolish Things.”
Despite his popularity, Hutch faced racial prejudice. He bought a Rolls-Royce. He owned a grand house. He spoke several languages. He was friendly with the Prince of Wales. Yet, he often had to use the servants’ entrance. This embittered him.
Hutch recorded many Cole Porter songs. These included “Begin the Beguine.” He supposedly added 70 verses to “Let’s Do It.” Hutch entertained troops during World War II. He received no formal recognition for this service.
Hutch married Ella Byrd in the 1920s. They had a daughter named Lesley. He fathered seven more children with different women. One mistress was Elizabeth Corbett. She became pregnant with his child. Her family tried to cover it up.
Hutch also had an affair with Edwina Mountbatten. This scandalized British society. The Mountbattens sued the tabloids for libel. Hutch was shunned by former patrons. His career suffered.
Leslie Hutchinson died in 1969 of pneumonia. Forty-two people attended his funeral. In 2012, this blue plaque was unveiled. It commemorates Hutch’s life at 31 Steele’s Road. He lived here from 1929 to 1967. Remember Leslie “Hutch” Hutchinson. He was a star who overcame prejudice. His music and story live on.