William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare (19 November 19485 October 2010) was the stage name of Australian glam rock singer, born as John Stanley Cave, also known as John Cabe or Billy Shake. He had two Australian hit singles, "Can't Stop Myself from Loving You", which peaked at No. 2 on the Kent Music Report in 1974, and "My Little Angel", which peaked at No. 1 in 1975. Both hits were written by Vanda & Young, who also turned Shakespeare into a glam rocker. After decades of alcohol addiction and clinical depression he became destitute; he was assisted by music industry benevolent society, Support Act, from 2001. He died suddenly in October 2010, aged 61.

Early life

Shakespeare was born as John Stanley Cave in 1948 and grew up in Dulwich Hill, New South Wales. He was the only son of Stanley John Cave (ca. 1922–1962), a greengrocer, and Elizabeth May (née Thursfield, died 1971). The Cave family lived in Dulwich Hill for most of his early life.

He was vocalist for beat music group, the Amazons, with Nick Barlow on guitar, Harry Brus on bass guitar, Chris Carroll on guitar and Dally Carroll on drums. In 1966, they released a single, "Ain't that Lovin' You Baby". After The Amazons, Shakespeare continued performing in Sydney clubs as Johnny Cabe.

Career

In early 1974, Shakespeare was in Albert Studios where producers and songwriters, Vanda & Young (ex-The Easybeats), were trying to record "Can't Stop Myself from Loving You", however, the singer they were working with was unable to reach its high notes. Shakespeare's falsetto voice was suitable and Vanda & Young used him to finish recording the track; they also signed him to Albert Productions and groomed him into William Shakespeare as a glam rocker along the lines of Alvin Stardust or Gary Glitter. However this was refuted by both of that group's founders, Angus and Malcolm Young.

"Can't Stop Myself from Loving You" was released as a single in July 1974 and peaked at No. 2 nationally (No. 1 in Sydney and Melbourne) on the Kent Music Report singles chart. Also in that year, during the planning stages for the ABC-TV series, Countdown, it was suggested that Shakespeare host the show. However, it was decided that guest hosts including Shirley Strachan, John Paul Young and Daryl Braithwaite compere the show on an ad hoc basis instead. Ian Meldrum, the show's talent co-ordinator, was also a frequent presence.

In November 1974, Shakespeare released his debut album, Can't Stop Myself from Loving You, produced by Vanda & Young for Albert Productions. All but one track was co-written by Vanda & Young. One track, "Time", was co-written by Shakespeare with Chris Gilbey, A&R manager at Alberts. The album peaked in the top 30 on the Kent Music Report albums chart. Shakespeare appeared on the teen-oriented musical program, Countdown, in his glam rock costume numerous times. He left Albert Productions in 1977 and had no further recordings — his pop music career was over due to his criminal conviction From 1979 until the mid 1990s, Shakespeare sometimes performed as Billy Shake in Sydney clubs as a 1970s revival act. William Shakespeare (John Cave) died suddenly in Sydney on 5 October 2010.

Discography Studio albums + List of albums, with Australian chart positionsTitle Album details Peak chartpositions AUS Can't Stop Myself from Loving You Released: 25 November 1974 Format: LP Label: Albert Productions 27

Singles