Finns mourn drummer from Crowded House

Crowded House drummer Paul Hester was a world-class drummer known for his antics both on-stage and off and a prankster who struggled with bouts of depression.

The Australian musician who also played for Split Enz held a special place in Kiwi pop music history.

But Hester, the father of two girls, was found dead on Sunday at Elsternwick Park in Brighton, a suburb of Melbourne. He was last seen walking his two dogs on Saturday night.

Neil and Tim Finn, on the eve of a concert at London's Albert Hall, said they were "saddened" at the loss of a good friend.

"I have lost one of my best mates," Neil Finn was reported as saying in the Sydney Telegraph newspaper.

There were rumours yesterday that last night's performance by the Finns might be cancelled.

The Telegraph and Australian radio was yesterday reporting Hester committed suicide.

The 46-year-old leaves behind long-time girlfriend Mardi Sommerfeld and their two daughters aged 10 and 8.

Hester joined Split Enz in 1983 but when the group broke up, he helped form The Mullanes with Neil Finn which became Crowded House, one of this country's most successful bands.

The group had a string of hits into the 1990s including Don't Dream It's Over which reached No 2 on the US charts.

Split Enz and Crowded House members were contacted by Peter Green, a close friend of Hester's, about the musician's death, according to the Telegraph.

"I can't imagine a sadder day than today," Mr Green said.

"I feel for Paul's little girls. We are still, all of us, asking why? Paul had some dark moments. Some good days and some bad days, like all of us."

Entertainment reporter Richard Wilkins enjoyed a working relationship with Hester, particularly during the Crowded House days.

"I was a big fan and liked him enormously," Wilkins said.

"He was really well respected. He was a great drummer and a great singer and a great band member."

On the fan website, frenz.com (see link below), supporters left messages.

"Feels like I've lost a part of my family," Crowded House devotee Dean wrote.

"I know the last few years of Crowded House were hard on him [Hester], but I figured everything since was going all right."

Hester quit Crowded House in 1994, citing the stress of touring and a lack of motivation.

He became a drummer-for-hire based in Melbourne and owned a cafe which he sold four years ago.

He was also the frontman of a successful music show on Australian's Foxtel cable channel.

He hosted his own chat show, Hessie's Shed, on Australia's ABC TV in the late 1990s, inviting New Zealand's the Topp Twins and poet Sam Hunt for guest appearances.

Paul Hester

* Only Australian to play with Kiwi band Split Enz

* Crowded House born out of the Finn-Hester partnership in 1986

* The group disbanded after Hester quit while on a US tour in 1994

* Performed with the Finns on national tour last year