Spoilers for General Hospital Even if viewers of the soap opera harbor mixed feelings about Valentin Cassadine at times, James Patrick Stuart, who plays the role, does a fantastic job in the role. Nevertheless, where did he acquire his skill? It appears that all signs lead to Chad Stuart, his well-known father.
Who Is Chad Stuart?
James Patrick Stuart is a hit on GH, and many fans were surprised when he performed at the Nurse’s Ball a number of times, singing some of his original songs. Fun fact, Stuart has released two albums in the past, “Clean Slate” and “The Apple Tree”.
Interestingly enough, his father was part of a musical pop duo known as Chad & Jeremy, who were a huge hit in the 1960s.
Chad Stuart’s Beginnings
Chad was born in December 1941, growing up in Windermere, England. He received a scholarship to London’s Central School of Speech and Drama, where he and Jeremy Clyde formed a friendship, and eventually a band, called Jerks.
By the time 1962 rolled around, Chad graduated from Central School, although Jeremy had a year ahead of him on this and took off to Scotland during that time to chase a career in theatre, thus, breaking the band up.
Still, after not being able to find acting work, due to a strike, Jeremy reconnected with Chad to form a singing duo. In the midst of all this, they got John Barry’s attention (best known as the composer who scored a number of James Bond movies), as he attended a club where the duo was, one night.
In addition to all his other accolades, Barry was also a record producer and signed them to a smaller label, Ember Records, by 1963.
Chad & Jeremy’s Rise To Fame
Even though the label was small and had little exposure, their single “Yesterday’s Gone” rose to the top of the British charts.
Barry departed Ember Records because, at the time, it was unable to compete with major labels. The pair was replaced by Shel Talmy, another record producer, who oversaw the creation of their debut album, “Chad & Jeremy Sing For You.”
As the British Invasion grew momentum, Chad and Jeremy were signed to World Artists, a U.S. record company in 1964. It didn’t take long for “Yesterday’s Gone” to hit the top 20 in America, and “A Summer Song” was released.
When Things Started To Fall Apart
Unfortunately, Jeremy was more interested in pursuing acting, but Chad was able to talk him into a Columbia Records deal, due to their fast-climbing star power.
They released a second album; however, as tensions rose between the duo, they decided to take a break from it all.
The two embarked on solo careers from 1965 and 1966 and later reunited once in a while, as Jeremy pursued his acting career. Their songs didn’t hit the same success as their past ones, and they eventually called it quits.
Chad & Jeremy got back together in 1982 and collaborated with producer Rocky Davis. Even though their album “Chad Stuart & Jeremy Clyde” wasn’t very popular, they did go on tour together afterward.
Pneumonia claimed Chad’s life in December 2020 at the age of 79; yet, his legacy will live on in the globe and in his son James.