Clive Calder
Band Leader...Bassist... & Business Man"FROM THE BEGINNING TO THE BEGINNING"
It all started something like this:
School had become unbearably boring. It always had been boring - all those insignificant details, sothourough, yet lacking so much in concepts. Something was definitely missing. There was no link between Granny and the Gold. Everyone was so close to themselves, yet so far: so incredibly accurate,but never quite right, always talking, but mostly guessing. Much more discipline was needed, and of course,the self-dictated type was preferred. So, 'round about the fifteenth year, when the first box-guitar was introduced,it was cold and calculated - no depth, no feeling.
But Time was due to put Granny on the right path to the gold. One day led to another, and between these were those nights, when experiments were conducted with others of a different nature - they fell by the side- until Ivor Back entered the mining camp with one kit of drums and one helluva backlog of frustrations.Together something happened for a while. We grooved, and learnt about "feeling". Our minds created , and together we grew. However, something was lacking. Cynicism had set in. But we tried our best -just bass and drums. It was no good. Two just could'nt go it alone. That rock was thick, and we just kepton banging our heads. He'd sing sometimes, and I 'd try and convert notes from the mind into sounds on the piano, or organ. No good - something was lacking.
Eventually, Granny let Peter Vee into the camp. He helped soothe the pain, but Life had other plans,so when he bade the camp goodbye, the whole camp shed a tear, and there was much mourning and sobbing - just Ivor and I. Granny wanted to given in - that Gold was out of sight. So practicality set in, and the camp shookwith a mixture of boere musiek, bubblegum, dance, journalism, night club ventures, show promoting - anythingto ease the pain, anything to escape. Then Time, Granny, and a ballet script introduced Roger Inns. He hadsomething. I knew it. It just did'nt add up. I mean they laughed at him, and, in a mocking tone of voice, referredto him as Al Jolson. But only he, of those, really had any tone of voice.
So we blessed Granny when Time added experience and grooming, and together we grooved with Roger.It was three - Roger, Ivor and I. Granny was back in the running - that Gold was just a while around the nextcorner. Then Alan Goldswain emerged from the masses of triers. His face was so different. He was clear - Grannycould even see the gold-dust staring up from the bottom of the mine. Given Time, Alan too will groove, because that something that was lacking in the beginning has grown in proportion, and together we'll grow with it, and Time will heel the pain, until it's ready for war. Then Granny will have her Gold in the beginning. [Author: Clive Calder, 1968] Bands & Discographical Information: Session Work: - Nico Carstens, Parade Of South African Hits, Columbia JSX 11117, 1968
Tracks: Timothy/ Mangwane mpulele/ Wimoweh/ So far away/ Die padda wou gaan opsit/ Spaanse nooi/Lente in Switzerland/ African stomp/ Helena cha cha/ Master Jack/ Calabash/ Catherine/ Meadowlands
- Nico Carstens, Die Lewenslied Van ..., CDREDD 674, 2001
Track: Helena cha cha
- Nico Carstens, African Stomp/ Timothy, Columbia
DSA 784, 1968
- Die Doedies, ...Sing Doemelliedjies, Columbia JSX 11128, 1968
Tracks: Baie bietjie babie/ Tot hier en daar die bome bloei/ O, my vaal Karoo/ O, my kleine meisie/ Blywag ek hier/ Liewe outjie/ Pieterjan/ Die spierwit aandblom/ Tokkelina/ Stilweg roep my hart/ Ek gee mylief 'n appel/ My liewe land, my liewe liefie
- Ivor Back was the session drummer
- Live At The Electric Circus, The First Electric Jamming Band, Parlophone PCSJ(D) 12061, 1969
Tracks: Take it away/ Can't leave your love behind/ I wanna dream*/ Sloop John B/ Man*
Band members: Clive Calder/ Ivor Back/ Alan Goldswain/ Mervin Gershanov/ Peter Clifford/ Roy Naturman/Roland Deale/ Terry Smith/ Peter Vee
* Vocals by Peter Vee
- Mervin Gershanov was a member of the Durban group the Gonks. Their lead vocalist Craig Ross was a member of Freedom's Children in the late sixties.
- Dickie Loader and Friends, In Session, Parlophone PCSJ 12076, 1971
Tracks: Take the bad times with the good times/ Go go Sally/ Gingerbread man/ Cracklin' rosie/ Let it be me/Suddenly it's Wednesday/ Hey devil woman/ Orange taxi/ Angelina/ Travellin' man/ Burning bridges/ Poor little rich girl
From left to right: Clive Calder/ Dickie Loader/ Robin Netcher/ Peter Vee/ Wanda Arletti/ Stevie van Kerken
- Richard Jon Smith 1, Bullet BU 500, 1973
Tracks: It's only a matter of time/ Home sweet home/ I'm still waiting/ I can sing it/ That's why I love you/Ring-a-ring-a-rosie/ What I've been getting at/ Happy and gay/ Cause that song makes me think things over/Candlelight
- Feedback From ex-Band Members
Roy Naturman: I think the web page is very good.
(2 March 2004, Atlanta, USA) Found this classic pic (see below) & wanted to share it
Best regards - Roy Naturman (19 March 2004) 
Front to back:
Peter Vee - vocals - heads up BMG SA
Clive Calder - bass - an incredible man
Ivor Back - drums - still playing as good as ever
Ron Jubber - tenor sax
Me (Roy) - keyboards - Atlanta US
Anthony Naturman: Excellent. Dad on the Web - SOLID! Maybe bringing some of those old tunes back to life can work okie - give it thought. (7 March 2004) Peter Vee: Yes I did replace Barry Mitchell and recorded the single "Louie Louie" with the In Crowd. I was never a member of Calders Collection, but guested on the album on the track "Hey Joe". After Calders Collection (early seventies), Clive and I put out a number of albums under the group name of the Outlet. Clive produced as well as played a variety of instruments and I did all the vocals. We co-wrote the hit "Working on a good thing" which was a 50,000+ seller for the Outlet. I have not seen or heard of Roger Inns for many years but Ivor Back is still living in Johannesburg, He plays the occasional gig and is a music rep. I think that the backings on Inn's and Barrys solo recordings were provided mainly by session musicians. I would love to hear the Four Dukes records again. Keep up the good work.
(10 March 2004) Tertius Louw, March 2004
South Africa's Rock Legends
South Africa's Rock Classics
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