In the late 1920’s he was the darling of London’s high society, entertaining the rich and famous with his fabulous singing and piano playing.

A black man from the island of Grenada in the West Indies, he became the highest paid variety singer and recording artist in all of England.

Irresistibly sexy and exotic, he reportedly had sex with over 1000 women including Princess Marina and the Queen’s sister, Princess Margaret. As Lady Edwina Mountbatten’s illicit lover for decades, he created a Royal scandal.

Not one to limit his opportunities, he was also lovers with Cole Porter, actor Ivor Novello and many other men.

He was married and lived with his American-born wife and daughter in a quiet north London neighborhood.

Impeccably dressed, larger than life, with a speaking voice and manner of a blue-blooded Oxford man, he strove to be accepted into society as a true Englishman. Being black, he never was.

During World War II his songs brought great comfort and escape to thousands who longed for gentler, more peaceful times.

A superb stylist, his music was moody and romantic and created a dreamy backdrop for starry-eyed lovers over three decades.

A man of excesses, he squandered nearly all of his riches on horse racing, womanizing and drink.

In the mid-to-late 1960’s, shortly before his death, he was cruising young boys for sex on the seedy streets around Paddington rail station.

He died in 1969 leaving 1700 pounds and at least eight illegitimate children wondering, “Who the heck was “Hutch”?