SA ROCK DIGEST ISSUE #64

SA ROCK DIGEST ISSUE #64

The South African Rock Music Digest
is a free, subscription e-mag, edited
by Brian "Vagabond" Currin and Stephen
"Sugar" Segerman and delivered direct
to your e-mailbox.

Established January 1999.

To unsubscribe: reply to this issue
with "unsubscribe digest" as subject

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CONTENTS
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1.WHAT'S NEW - Music Industry Directory 2000, Alexia Walker
2.ON STAGE - André Fourie Benefit
3.NEW RELEASES - Wonderboom, Hit The Ground Runnin'
4.WOEMA - Theunis Engelbrecht looks at Boerneef
5.SPOTLIGHT ON - Sugar shines a light on James Phillips
6.USA for SA - Kurt Shoemaker looks at Psychedelia
7.CLASSIC ROCK - John Samson remembers Ballyhoo
8.FORUM - Leeman Ltd, Yes, Mickie Most
9.REQUESTS - Looking for Sarel David Walker, Acappella, First Acquaintance
10.ON THE NET - Una Valli
11.WHAT'S ON - Frank Opperman, Oppikoppi, Little Sister
12.GOOSEBUMPS - The Rolling Stones
13.LINKS AND ADS
14.BACK ISSUES
15.CONTRIBUTIONS
16.SUBSCRIPTIONS
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SA ROCK DIGEST - THE WEBSITE
http://www.rock.co.za/sarockdigest/

Use the website search engine to find any information published on each and every previous Digest. These archives are updated weekly.

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SA ROCK DIGEST - ON THE RADIO

Listen out between 10.15 and 10.30am on SAFM (104-107KHz) every Wednesday morning to hear Digest co-editor Stephen Segerman chatting to Bruce Millar about the lastest music news and breaking stories.

Visit SAFM on the net at:
http://www.safm.co.za

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AMUZINE
http://www.cd.co.za

For more news, views and reviews on the SA and International music scene visit the Amuzine website.

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ONE WORLD
http://www.oneworld.co.za

Selling South African Music to the World

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SA ROCK FILES
http://www.rock.co.za/sarock
The online archive for the history of SA rock

The SA Rock Files webpages are updated regularly thanks to input from various fans of SA rock music around the world.
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1.WHAT'S NEW
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THE SA MUSIC INDUSTRY DIRECTORY 2000

Someone had to compile and release a directory containing all the
relevant players in the SA music industry, and credit to MIDI (Music
Industry Development Initiative) for doing just that. The 2000 SA Music
Industry Directory is as comprehensive a collection of all these names,
companies and contact details as exists in SA today. From artists to
recording studios to media, DJs and advertising agencies, this directory provides an essential handbook for anyone working in (or interested in) the SA music industry today.

Helped considerably by The Department of Arts, Culture, Science and
Technology, and produced by the staff of Music Africa and the MIDI Trust (under the enthusiastic guidance of Rosalie Katz), this directory costs R50 and is currently only available from the MIDI Trust (phone: 011 482 7037). It is expected that this directory will soon be available in bookstores. Email enquiries to mailto:sugar@cd.co.za (SS)

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NEW SUPREMO FOR WHAT'S PHAT AND MELTDOWN AFRIKA LABELS

Alexia Walker has only been living in South Africa since February, but
within a few short months has found herself managing two of the hottest
music labels in SA. It was at Midem in January that Alexia first mooted
the idea of setting up ‘What’s Phat’ as a distribution label for the
finest contemporary club dance and cool ambient sounds emanating from
Europe. Alexia had grown up in Paris before moving to Holland where, out of the blue, she was offered the opportunity to set up a new record
company for Mazzo, a particular favourite club haunt of hers. ‘Mazzo
Music’ began releasing European dance compilations and signed a
distribution deal with the Tic Tic Bang label in SA, giving Alexia her
first contact with the SA music scene.

In early 2000, Alexia decided to relocate to South Africa and settled on Cape Town as her new home. She met Patrick Horgan, then the managing
director of MELT 2000’s African division, known as Meltdown Afrika. MELT 2000 head Robert Trunz and Horgan agreed to include the What’s Phat label under the MELT 2000 umbrella, realizing the value of the European dance titles’ distribution as well as the future prospects of releasing locally-produced dance collections. What’s Phat moved into the MELT 2000 Cape Town offices in February and a few months later, Patrick Horgan moved to the UK to become General Manager of the MELT 2000 UK division. Alexia was offered Horgan’s position and found herself running these two distinctly different music labels.

What’s Phat began distributing titles off the STUDIO K7, F-
Communication, and Glasgow Underground labels. These included the
hippest deep house, drum ‘n bass, club, dance and ambient titles by
artists such as Laurent Garnier, DJ Kicks, Kruder and Dolfmeister, Kid
Loco, Tosca, and Smith & Mighty (pioneers of the Bristol scene that
produced Massive Attack, Portishead, Tricky and Roni Size). With the
excellent DJ Kicks series and Kruder & Dolfmeister collaborations and
offshoots (Thievery Corporation, Peace Orchestra, Tosca) already well
known and in great demand, What’s Phat proved to be a shrewd and
successful concept. MELT 2000’s Meltdown Afrika label also boasts a
particularly strong catalogue that includes many of the emerging big
names on the SA music scene such as Moses Taiwa Molelekwa, Pops Mohamed, Busi Mhlongo, Deepak Ram, Amampondo, OHM, and Shana.

So the dynamic, music-loving and committed Alexia Walker has arrived on
the SA music scene and is currently handling her musical
spectrum-straddling operation with enthusiasm and optimism. One of the
newest titles to be released on the Meltdown Africa label is the
astounding debut by Lungiswa Plaatjies, of Dizu Plaatjies (her uncle) and Amampondo fame. Her album, the simply titled ‘Lungiswa’, contains her gorgeous interpretation of Marvin Gaye’s ‘Inner City Blues’ performed in Xhosa. This evocative version is symbolic of the cross-cultural musical hybrid now in the capable hands of Alexia Walker. Welcome to South Africa and bring on the good noise! (SS)

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2.ON STAGE
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THE GREAT SUCCESS OF THE ANDRÉ FOURIE BENEFIT CONCERT

The André Fourie Benefit Concert was held at The River Club in Observatory Cape Town on 23 & 24 June 2000 and turned out to be a phantastic success, with almost 600 paying people at the door over two nights.

On Friday night Tuxedo, Purple Haze (ex-Omega Limited), Valiant Swart, The Eric Clapton Tribute Show Band and The Duck Chowles band had the crowd up and dancing. On Saturday night The Mike McCullagh Band, Dread Kings, Akkedis, Live Wire and Stage Fright kept the audience entertained.

MC's for the two evenings were Mark Sampson and David Levinson from The Cape Comedy Collective who both made sure to keep the crowds entertained and amused even in between the breaks. We think it would have been on André's behalf to integrate as much fun into the shows as possible instead of drowning in sadness over two nights.

Although final figures have not been calculated, the gains for the weekend are in the order of approx. R 30 000,00. André's guitar which has been autographed by Steve Morse of Deep Purple was auctioned to a fellow musician for R5 000.

Thanks again to everyone who helped make this event so successful on behalf of André's kids Ryan, Ricky and Samantha, who were at the concert on both nights.

Any further donations can be paid into the trust account for André's kids:
Renette Rauch Attorneys Trust Account
Standard Bank Athlone
Account-no.: 07 330 5391
Branch code: 025909

THANKS!

http://www.riester-records.co.za
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3.NEW RELEASES
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NEVER EVER EVER EVER - WONDERBOOM

Much was expected from Wonderboom, the band formed from the fusion
between The Electric Petals and Eight Legged Groove Machine back in
1997. 1998 saw the release of their debut EP, ‘Is It’, which was
impressive but failed to ignite these Gauteng rockers' careers.
Undaunted, the band set out to exhibit their dynamic live show and
quality rock songs to a national audience and from a host of smaller
gigs the band eventually began to headline many of the SA Festivals,
culminating in a support slot on Live’s 2000 SA tour.

‘Never Ever Ever Ever’ is the band’s first release on their new David
Gresham Records label and, once again, it’s an eyebrow-raising slice of
contemporary SA rock. ‘Something Wrong’ is a stirring and melodic track, released as a single in 1999, that amply illustrates Wonderboom’s confidence and talent. It is preceded on this six-track EP by the next single, the title track, ‘Never Ever Ever Ever’, and ‘Big Bash’, two songs that leave no doubt that Cito (vocals), Danny de Wet (drums), Martin Schofield (guitar), and Wade Williams (bass) have that something special necessary to rise above the current crop of exciting SA rock outfits. The balance of the EP features ‘Running On Empty’ (not a Jackson Browne cover!), the patchy but well-intended ‘Don’t Do Crime’
and the tacked-on ‘Ziggy’s #6 Mix (Never Ever)’. With songs like ‘She
Cries’ and ‘Jafta Rebel’ (off ‘Is It’) and the three opening tracks on
this EP, Wonderboom have clearly shown that their first full length
album is an exciting prospect. Hope we don’t have to wait too long for
that one. Till then, ‘Never Ever Ever Ever’ is an adequate
appetizer. (SS)

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CONTROL YOURSELF - HIT THE GROUND RUNNIN'

An independent release from American melodic rock band, Hit The Ground Runnin'. The vocals of lead singer Blair Rumsey are incredibly powerful. All the musicians in this 5-piece band provide backing vocals which works great on the sing-a-long choruses.

All the songs on the CD are strong and uptempo with great tunes and brilliant instrumentation. There is of course the obligatory rock ballad, 'Lost', with the most beautiful piano-playing this side of Chopin.

My favourite tracks after about 4 or 5 listenings are: 'Control Yourself', 'Lost', 'Pain' and 'Surrounded By Fire', but the whole CD is very consistent in quality, tunefulness and general rockability. Rock on, dudes... (BC)

Visit their website at:
http://hitthegroundrunnin.homepage.com

CD available at http://www.amazon.com
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4.WOEMA
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MAKIE MOOIGOED STAAN

Dis baie jammer dat die politiek Afrikaans as taal deur die jare so
besmet het met die gevolg dat daar heelwat mense is wat dit sien as
onderdrukkerstaal. 'n Taal is groter as die politiek, en poësie is
tienduisend maal groter as die politiek, en daarom moet Afrikaans
eerder geoordeel word aan sy poësie as sy smerige politiek.

Dié gedagtes skiet onwillekeurig deur 'n mens se kop wanneer jy luister
na "Makie mooigoed staan", 'n samestelling uit die poësie van Boerneef (Izak van der Merwe, 1897 - 1967). Dis nie 'n konvensionele CD nie, want dit bestaan uit heelwat (lewendige) voordragte afgewissel met enkele toonsettings, soos "Niks hang so rooi soos wingerblaad" en "Transistor", wat deur Laurika Rauch bekend gemaak is.

Om Boerneef self aan die woord te stel: "Die brulpadda brul bas maar die bul van Basan basser, dis brul teen brul en bas teen bas
en dis al hoe basser en krasser. Toe trek die Sedoos met sy blaasbenning los met die skuiftrompetters los voor los, maar die tuba
brul, hy's die bobaasbas, en dis brul teen brul teen brul teen bas, dis
'n helske herrie oor die haaivlakland - en die stilte lê
vierstewels in sy verstand."

Al hoe meer Afrikaanse kunstenaars begin agterkom dat Afrikaanse poësie
fantasties ontgin kan word in musiek, en ek sal eerder na getoonsette goeie Afrikaanse poësie luister as na die niksseggende,
sub-intelligente lirieke van 'n baie groot hoeveelheid kommersiële ligte Afrikaanse musiek. "Makie mooigoed staan" is uniek en
'n baie uplifting ervaring.

"Makie mooigoed staan" word uitgegee deur Afrimusik.
(http://www.afrimusik.co.za)

Theunis Engelbrecht
mailto:theunis99@worldonline.co.za
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5.SPOTLIGHT ON... JAMES PHILLIPS
---------------------------------

One of James’ best friends and musical collaborators, Carl Raubenheimer, wrote about him after his tragic death in 1995 that James "was a saint who lived the life of a devil". That attitude summed up the too-short but wonderful musical career of the original "East Rand cowboy, singer, songwriter, musician, guitarist, composer, cultural icon, voice and conscience to generation of apartheid-era (and after) white South Africans". Inspired, but not influenced, by the British punk boom of the late ‘70s, Phillips formed his first band with Raubenheimer and Mark Bennett. Corporal Punishment reflected the angst and white paranoia of Springs, the typical mining town where Phillips spent his youth. Already clashing with the SABC and major label indifference, as well as with unwanted attention from the "security" establishment, Phillips then formed Illegal Gathering with David Ledbetter and Wayne Raath before connecting with fellow-Rhodes student, Lee Edwards (bass). These two formed the basis of the Cherry Faced Lurchers, one of the most prominent and relevant rock bands of the ‘80s in SA.

Their single and live favourite, ‘Do The Lurch’, became the signature
song for Jamesons, the new rock club in central Johannesburg where The
Lurchers played a long and important residency, spearheading the SA
alternative music movement of the emergency-ridden ‘80s. Phillips then
unveiled his "slaughterer of Afrikaans sacred cows" alter ego, Bernoldus Niemand. The sneering and mysterious "gunman" image on the album cover further established James Phillips as a leading influence of the "Voëlvry" alternative, Afrikaans rock renaissance alongside Koos
Kombuis, Valiant Swart, Willem Möller and Johannes Kerkorrel.

Ever the prophet, Phillips then moved away from the anger and cynicism
of his earlier material and, sensing the oncoming cosmic political
change, began moving towards a more hopeful, piano-based, jazzy sound.
In late ’93 he brought a host of contemporary South African jazz artists into the Valley Studios in Gauteng and produced his most accomplished and (sadly) last, full original album, the light, fresh and gorgeous, ‘Sunny Skies’. In 1995 James Phillips was involved in a car accident on his way to perform at the Grahamstown festival. He died later of complications from an undetected fractured skull.

'Made In South Africa' was a comprehensive and excellent posthumous
tribute to this great artist’s music over the years. These 21 tracks and over 70 minutes of solid and sardonic SA rock, trace James Phillips’ musical development from his first Springs outfit Corporal Punishment (the early punk of ‘Goddess’, ‘Darkie’, 'Brain Damage’), through the funny-cool Illegal Gathering (‘Johnny Cool’ and the all-spoken satire of ‘Willie Smit’). The bulk of the material is from his memorable Cherry Faced Lurchers/James Phillips and the Lurchers/Bernoldus Niemand ‘80s alternative SA rock glory years. Songs like ‘Shot Down’, ‘Do The Lurch’, ‘Warsong’, ‘Detainees’ and ‘Barbed Wire’ soundtrack and define the rock of that era. Lyrics that poked fun and posed questions, all delivered in that trademark voice and rock ‘n roll attitude.

When he switched from angry guitar to mellower piano in the ‘90s, the
results were fresh, jazzy and happy as on ‘Sunny Skies’ which is
represented here by the new direction of ‘Moses’ and ‘Money’ and the
brilliant and funky, ‘Tabane’. There is also the short, solo and
unreleased two-track recordings of ‘Afrika Is Dying’ and the later
‘Where Will You Be’, one of the songs that would reappear on the low-key but haunting ‘Soul Ou’ album.

‘Soul Ou’ was a further posthumous album release. This was a remixed
collection of the songs James Phillips casually recorded to listen to
(and learn) during that fateful car trip to Grahamstown. These songs
were recorded by Lloyd Ross at the Shifty Studios with no album release
in mind. They were purely intended as rehearsal tapes for the concert
Phillips was to perform at the Festival and as such have a haunting,
quiet feel with Phillips accompanying his sensitive vocals with a lone,
sparse, guitar, keyboard or piano.

The songs were mostly unreleased and in most cases, unheard, even by the most devoted and obsessive fans, and there were many! The songs range across the many styles that Phillips handled with such ease including blues, folk, jazz and rock. They are all shot through with his renowned humour, irony and cynicism. They reflect the mixture of relief, concern and overall optimism of the new democracy in which he found himself. The old targets were gone and Phillips began to look inward for his subject matter. He found these low-key and heartfelt songs and poured his soul into them. ‘Soul Ou’ is a sensitive and fitting epitaph to this great South African man, musician and artist. His influence and charismatic presence is still felt in South African rock circles and he is very sorely missed.

Stephen Segerman
mailto:sugar@cd.co.za
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6.USA FOR SA
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ALL PSYCHED OUT

There is a connection between psychedelic rock music and progressive
rock, even if it is only the open-mindedness of mean of expression. Last week I mentioned some obscure psych music that typified open mindedness and experimentatation. Here are some further examples.

For a series of psych, with many 60s punk and garage songs, take
a listen to the Pebbles series. The first 10 CDs contain over 150
songs and also go for ten bucks per. The highlight CDs from this
series are 1, 2, 3, and 5. Though all ten are well worth owning,
and each has highlights, these discs are my faves.

From Pebbles #1, 'Ain't No Friend of Mine' by the Sparkles --
okay, it's not psych, but it's great rock. #2 has '99th Floor' by
the Moving Sidewalks; 'Feathered Fish' by Sons of Adam; the
raw 'Green Fuz' by Green Fuz (this last one sounds like it was
recorded in a stone chicken coop). Pebbles #3 has 'Suicidal
Flowers' by Crystal Chandelier, another fuzz-bash, 'I'm Five Years
Ahead of My Time' by The Third Bardo, 'Voices Green and Purple' by
The Bees, 'Anxious Color' by the Painted Faces -- all in all, #3 is
a strong CD replete with safe and legal mind excursions.

Psychedelic music is free and opens the way for progressive rock's
excursions. Psychedelic music may not have directly contributed to
progressive rock, but it was part of the flow of music that became
prog-rock -- once these psychedelic young turks learned how to play
their instruments and work in a studio.

Another CD: 'Beyond the Calico Wall'. Among many weirdities is
'Mt. Olympus' by The Flower Power with the great lines, 'Mt.
Olympus stands like a rock in the sea/and nothing makes it real
except reality'. Of course it does, dear. hen the song
degenerates into a minute of feedback and tuneless noise until one
hits the Next button. On the same disc is 'Up In My Mind' by The
Spontaneous Generation (great name, no?), a psychedelic fuzz-orgy
that Orgy would envy. This CD is extreme psych stuff: a song
narrated by a dead man, a six minute version of 'Inna-Gadda-Da-Vida', some Hindu-influenced stuff, and some absolutely unprescribed stuff.

Here are a few more accessible CDs: 'Acid Dreams Testament', 'Acid
Dreams Epitaph', and Arf! Arf!'s Psych series ('An Overdose of Psych',
'A Lethal Dose of Heavy Psych', and 'A Lyte Dose of Psych'). These
carry the notion of pop music to Peter Max and Yellow Submarine
extremes. Most of these creativity-fest bands are wild anything-goes bands made by creative young men in bands that broke up when the guys were drafted, went to college, or got jobs and wives.

This music takes me back to when I was a teen. Though I didn't know of
these obscure songs when I was young, I knew the style by other bands.
Sometimes I think, "Yeah, things were so much better back in the 60s when I was in high school. Life was better. All that us guys had to worry about was getting drafted and maybe dying in a war." But it was an era of peace and love... and political assassinations and race riots. Yeah, right, life was simpler then. At least the music was wild and good.

By the way, if it weren't for collecting CDS of obscure garage, rock, and psychedelic music of the 60s, I would never have gone back to my collection one day and said, "Aha!"

Why?

After I became an SA music fan I ran across more than a few mentions of Rodriguez. Okay, a guy with a Spanish name in South Africa. Then I read in the Rodriguez website that 'I'll Slip Away' appeared on an American CD that recorded the history of an minor label, Impact Records. Wait a minute, I thought, I own this CD.

Here's a quick review of the disc with the conclusion first: unless
you're a Rodriguez completist, you don't need this CD. The faults with the CD lie neither with Senor Sixto nor with Impact Records, but with me in that most of the songs are in styles that don't appeal to me, or are poor songs. Impact, understandably as a business, fielded songs in many genres to make hits because their goal was to make hits, not to create collectables for later generations. So the disc has soul, pop, rock, and novelty songs one after another. It well represents the label and Impact's hopes and intents, but doesn't rock enough for me. There are some stand-out tunes, but I tell you what, as they say in Texas: I tell you what, as soon as I read about 'I'll Slip Away' in the Rodriguez site I could hum the melody to you. 'I'll Slip Away', the closing song on the disc (and credited to the performer Rod Riguez (written by Sixto D. Rodriguez), is clearly my most memorable song from The Best of Impact Records.

Kurt Shoemaker, Blanco, Texas
mailto:kbshoe@hotmail.com

{Ed: 'I'll Slip Away' was released as a single in August 1967 in the USA. This is a different version to the track released on the "Best Of" compilation CD. It features more upfront Byrds-type jangly guitar, vocal harmonies and a subdued organ in the background. The strings that are so prominent on the later version are absent here.}

Everything you ever wanted to know about Rodriguez is here:
http://www.rock.co.za/files/rodriguez.html
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7.CLASSIC ROCK
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MAN ON THE MOON - BALLYHOO

The title track of this album was a huge hit, reaching the top spot on the Springbok Top 20, and deservedly so. It is a great track, with a strong tune, great vocals & harmonies and some excellent guitar work. Addressing the old problem of trying to "choose between one of two pretty ladies" to the Man on the Moon, this classic song should be familiar to most South Africans. But what about the rest of the album? It took me a few listens to realise this is worth listening to.

The opening track "Don't you loose your music" is quite a funky tune with a similar feel to "Man on the Moon", while "Venice (And then the Wind Came)" has a early Billy Joel feel to it with it's slower verses and up tempo chorus. Another strong track is "I'm a Dreamer" which reverts to the "Man on the Moon" formula in sound and vocal quality. There are a few throw away tracks "Lesson for a rainy day" being a rather soppy piano led ballad, which, although being released as a single should probably have been a b-side. At times I was reminded of Morocko's "Bowtie Boogaloo", and on "It happens every day", I found the vocals similar to the Beautiful South.

On the whole it is a solid pop album, with it's exceptional standout title track, but with enough meat to the remainer to make it worth owning.

John Samson
mailto:Thesamsons@aol.com
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8.FORUM
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LEEMAN LIMITED

I've lived here in Canada since 1977, but grew up in Durban. As I remember it, Leemen Limited consisted of John Smook [not sure of the spelling here], Richard [Dick] Wright, "Doc" Dokter, Kenny Henson, and Jimmy Thompson [Thomopoulos], probably Brian Alderson at some time or other [not too sure]. I used to play with a couple of local groups around that time at some of the local clubs ... Tiles, Scene 70, The Arena Club [sometimes on the same bill as Leemen or later Freedom's Children]... I also remember Craig Ross - he came to Freedom's Children from The Gonks. It was a great time for bands around South Africa at that time... The Gonks, The Mods, It's a Secret, Abstract Truth, Third Eye, John E. Sharpe and the Squires... I believe Kenny Henson is still in Durban and had teamed up with Brian Finch [who was also around in the mid to late 60s]. Anyway, thanks again for the trip down memory lane...

PS: I still have Leemen Ltd's '45 'Midnight Hour' backed with a cover version of John Mayall's 'Heartache'.

Brian Colborne
mailto:ibexinc@interlog.com

The Freedoms Children Family Tree starts with the Leeman Limited.
See this Family Tree on the net at:
http://www.rock.co.za/files/freedom_tree.html

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YES FOR NUDE GIRLS

I know there are many Yes fans in SA who might be interested to know that I taped Yes' entire show on Friday, June 23 at the Universal Amphitheatre, the premier indoor venue in Los Angeles. This was the third date on the "Masterworks" tour intended for truly diehard fans. The setlist was as follows: Benjamin Britten's Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (taped intro), Close to the Edge, Starship Trooper, The Gates of Delirium, Leaves of Grass (closing acoustic segment of The Ancient), Heart of the Sunrise, and Ritual (complete with four-man percussion solo), plus encores of I've Seen All Good People and Roundabout. It was a great show and the recording quality is first rate for an audience tape (the UA has excellent acoustics). I would be willing to trade this show (which is on one and a half 90-minute tapes) for great Yes shows from 1971-1979 OR live tapes of Springbok Nude Girls, whom I love.

Bill Wolfe
mailto:casalobo@lightspeed.net

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MICKIE MOST
What ever happened to Mickie Most? "Rock King of South Africa"
Well, it seems that South Africa has forgotten their "King". Maybe David Marks’ "Forgotten Years" extend further back than some of us would care to know.

Well for those who remember this "Icon", there is good news.
Europe is cashing in and there is a digitally remastered 30 Track CD.
'The Best of Mickie Most and his Playboys' (Rock-in-Beat-Records - RB 031)

Tracks: 1-7 off Hear the Most (1962), 8-20 off Mickie Most (1962), 21-25 off Big Beat Ball (1963)
26-30 EP Mickie Most and the Gear(1964).

(1) It Doesn’t Matter Anymore, Johnny B Goode, Dig You Baby, That’s What You Do To Me, Think It Over, Paralyzed, You’ve Got Love, (8) Boney Marony, Reeling And Rocking, Tom Dooley, Shake Rattle And Roll, Rave On, Pick A Bale Of Cotton, Sweet Little Sixteen, Green Back Dollar,
Down By The Riverside, Heart Beat, Corrine Corrina, What Do You Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For, Shall Not Be Moved, (21) Guitar Boogie Shuffle, The Twist, Whole Lotta Twisting, Blue Moon, Green Corn, (26) The Feminine Look, Money Honey, That’s Alright, Sea Cruise, It’s A Little Bit Hot.

I am eagerly awaiting the next European release of South African talent "The Best of the Staccato’s'!

The Hound Dog’s Bop Shop, Melbourne’s specialist Rockabilly/Rock’n’Roll store is sure to track it down.

Wakey wakey Gallo, Teal/Rave, wherever you are! There is a global market to tap into.

Rick Barber
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9.REQUESTS
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LOOKING FOR SAREL DAVID WALKER

Strange question, I'm trying to locate an old friend from my early high
school days - apparently he had his own sort of heavy metal group going in Durban which was playing at places like Cotton Fields/ The Sports Club I'm not sure where else.

I'm not even sure if he still does this as this was about 5 years ago now, but I figure all allys are worth looking down. His name is Sarel David Walker, he's english, used to live in Gillitts in Durban. Got any ideas where I could look?

Thanks

Lindsay
mailto:icitijhb@mweb.co.za

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ACAPPELLA CONTEST?

IF my memory serves me properly, isn't there an annual (?) acappella contest in Durban where people come from far and wide? And isn't this where such groups as Ladysmith Black Mambazo were discovered? I've been to SA a few times but only heard of this event recently--it sounds like one that I would like to attend. Does this sound familiar to you?

Thanks for your help.
All the best,
John Ptak
mailto:jfptak@thesciencebookstore.com

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WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

I would like to know what has become of the members of my all-time fave club group First Aquaintance i.e. Rusty Northcott, Vic Hastings, Rupert Mellor and their drummer Gerry Bailey. Also the best female rock singer in my opinion Stevie van Kerken. Can anyone help?

Rockgards
Colin
mailto:colina@armscor.co.za

{Ed: Rusty went on to play in Pendulum and was most recently seen at the Royal Oak pub in Table View hosting music trivia contests. Rupert Mellor spent a number of years with McCully Workshop and then solo gigging all around SA.

Stevie van Kerken sang on the first Freedoms Children album. She was the first Mrs "Mutt" Lange (before he became Mr Twain!). She joined UK band Night with Chris Thompson (from Manfred Mann's Earthband) and had a big hit in 1979 with 'Hot Summer Night'. She is currently teaching voice training in the UK.

Night on the net:
http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Hall/1836/night.html

Stevie Lange on the net:
http://dhans.addr.com/ebonyivory/stevie_lange.html

Nobody from Stevie's website bothered to reply to my e-mail requesting more info, so maybe somebody else will have more luck.}

--------------

COLLECTORS CORNER

I'm collecting records (mostly 7" singles) from S.A. 60´s groups & I want to get in touch with other dealers/collectors. I´ve been buying records from Barney Stathakis (a record dealer from Pretoria), but I´m seeking for some new contacts now. Can you help?
all the best,

Erik

ERIK MEINEN
mailto:bbtd@gelrevision.nl
STEENHOUWERSPAD 6
7101 EM WINTERSWIJK
HOLLAND

{Ed: e-mail Erik for a list of his wants}
______________________________________________

10.ON THE NET
---------------

Una Valli
http://home-1.worldonline.nl/~mollyb/docs/una.htm

A section of the Flames Website <http://the-flames.com> dedicated to SA's first lady of soul, Una Valli. Lovingly compiled by Bas Mollenkramer with major input from Tertius Louw.
______________________________________________

11.WHATS ON
--------------

SAFM PRESENTS THE WHITE HORSE WHISKY TOUR featuring
THE FRANK OPPERMAN BAND

July Sat 7th
Grahamstown Fest.
Union
10:00pm

July Sat 8th
Grahamstown Fest.
Union
10:00pm

July Tues 11th
Port Elizabeth
Tapas
9:30pm

July Wed 12th
Knysna
The Tin Roof
9:30pm

July Fri 14th
Cape Town
Jam
10:00pm

July Sat 15th
Stellenbosch
Hidden Cellar
9:30pm

July Sun 16th
Cape Town
Greenpoint Soccer Club
4:00pm

July Wed 19th
Worcester
Worcester East Primary School
8:00pm

July Fri 21st
Kimberly
Hoffepark
Recreation Club
8:00pm

July Sat 22nd
Bloemfontein
Mystic Boer
9:30pm

BASSLINE MANAGEMENT
Mailto: bassline@icon.co.za

--------------

OPPIKOPPI
http://www.oppikoppi.co.za

3-6 August - Northam
11-13 August - Worcester

Some more news. Oppikoppi recently confirmed Soulwax and Zita Swoon from Belgium to perform at the Oppikoppi Trek 2000 festival. This breakthrough came after months of negotiating with Belgian's no.1
alternative festival. Since Pukkelpop is only a wee10 days away from
Oppikoppi, both parties agreed to have two of their bands play a gig away from home. The two South-African bands to play Pukkelpop this year will be the increasingly popular Boo and hip-hop masters Brasse Vannie Kaap. Both Zita and Soulwax are huge favourites in Belgium, and both have played various major festivals in Europe.

Please visit http://www.pukkelpop.be to find out more about this Belgian phenomenon. To see what Trek 2000 is all about visit www.oppikoppi.co.za

Bands confirmed for Oppikoppi Trek 2000 so far:

Aavaaz
Ashton Nyte
Bizarre Bazaar
Beeskraal
BVK
Boo!
Boomslang
Blk. Sonshines
Carlo Mombelli & The Prisoners of Strange (Featuring Johnny Fourie)
Collosal Head
Cut La Roc (U.K)
Delta Blue
Dondo
Duusman
Fidget
Firing Squad
Frank Opperman
Fruit Fly Navigators
Gloria Bosman
Groinchurn
Interzone
James Phillips 5 Year Tribute
Jaques du Preez
Jimmy 12"
M
Mesadoth
Moses Molelekwa
Music Ye Africa
Moodphase5ive
Nine
Not My Dog
OHM
Piet Botha
Selaelo Selota
Soulwax (Pukkelpop, Belgium)
Springbok Nude Girls
Sshhh...
Sugardrive & Plum (The Yang Circle)
Sunways
Squeal
Syd Kitchen
Tidal Waves
THC
The Kerels
van der Want & Letcher
Waddy Jones (Project 2501)
Willem Fourie & The Lightning Brothers
Zita Swoon (Pukkelpop, Belgium)

FRIEDJAM.COM BATTLE OF THE BANDS WINNERS

Black Camel (Bloemfontein)
Caffiene Substitute (Durban)
Kombat Fudge (Port Elizabeth)
Leek & The Bouncing Uptones (Pretoria)
No ID ( Cape Town)
Subtle Change (Stellenbosch)
The Jon Savage Band (Grahamstown)
Tweak (Johannesburg

Worcester

Aavaaz
Black Milk
Boo!
Blues Broers
Blk. Sonshines
BVK
Carlo Mombelli & The Prisoners of Strange (Featuring Johnny Fourie)
Colossal Head
Cut La Roc (U.K)
Delta Blue
Duusman
Firing Squad
Frank Opperman
Frosted Orange
Groinchurn
Gurkha
Interzone
James Phillips 5 Year Tribute
Jaques du Preez
Jack Hammer
Madame Freak
Not My Dog
Phambili
Piet Botha
Springbok Nude Girls
Suda
Sugardrive
THC
Tidal Waves
van der Want & Letcher

OPPIKOPPI - FARM NOOITGEDACHT - NORTHAM
P.O BOX 56
NORTHAM
0360
PHONE: 014 - 7860597
FAX: 014 - 7860034
WEBSITE: http://www.oppikoppi.co.za
E-MAIL: oppikoppi@icon.co.za or oppikoppi@sigidi.co.za

--------------

LITTLE SISTER
http://www.littlesister.co.za

July 19 - Messina
July 29 - Glenn Marais, Crn Veld and Dann St, Glen Marais, Kempton Park
July 29 - Lelsey's Bar

----------------

WOODSTOCK SA
22nd to 25th of September
Heidelberg Kloof - Gauteng
Contact mailto:woodstock@authentic.co.za
____________________________________________

12.GOOSEBUMPS
-----------------

What magical music moment gives you goosebumps? It could be song, an album, a live performance or even just the intro riff of your favourite song ('Smoke On The Water', anyone?).

E-mail us and tell us about your goosebump moment.
mailto:sarockdigest@crosswinds.net

-------

ALREADY OVER ME - THE ROLLING STONES

Track 4 from the 'Bridges to Babylon' CD released in 1997. This is a stunning goosebump-inducing song and an 'Angie' for the 90s.

"I've been hurt, so confused, I've been burned"

"What a fool I've been"

Mick Jagger sings these words with real feeling which brings out some heartfelt emotions. I get goosebumps every time I hear this song.

-- Norin Radd

{Ed: Blondie Chaplin from SA band The Flames plays piano and sings back-up on this track}
____________________________________________

13.LINKS AND ADVERTS
-----------------------

ARTISTS:

SA ROCK LEGENDS
http://www.rock.co.za/legends

SA MUSICIANS ON THE NET FROM A TO Z
http://members.tripod.lycos.nl/Rembrandt/SAArtists.html

ROBIN AULD
http://www.robinauld.co.za

BERNARD BINNS
http://www.bernardbinns.co.za

PIET BOTHA & JACK HAMMER
http://www.rock.co.za/legends/pietbotha

KOOS KOMBUIS
http://www.kooskombuis.co.za

LITTLE SISTER
http://www.littlesister.co.za

OFF THE EDGE
http://www.rock.co.za/offtheedge

PLASTIC OCEAN
http://www.plasticocean.co.za

SPRINGBOK NUDE GIRLS
http://www.nudegirls.co.za

VALIANT SWART
http://www.valiant.co.za

TITUS
http://www.crosswinds.net/~glassmoon/titus/titus.htm

ARCHIVES:

THE LEGENDS OF SOUTH AFRICAN ROCK
Where SA rock legends still live
http://cd.co.za/legends

SOUTH AFRICA'S ROCK FILES
The online archive for the History of South African Rock
http://cd.co.za/sarock

MESSAGE BOARD:

TOO GOOD TO BE FORGOTTEN
Post your message on the SA Rock message board
http://www.insidetheweb.com/mbs.cgi/mb311757

NEWS:

AMUZINE
News, views, reviews and interviews
http://www.rock.co.za/

ARTSMART
Arts news from Kwazulu-Natal
http://www.artsmart.co.za

POWERZONE
News, classifieds and much more...
http://www.powerzone.co.za/

WALL OF SOUND
Up-to-date news on the International music scene
http://www.wallofsound.com

WHATS ON:

BARLEYCORN
Cape Town's Music Club
http://twisted.co.za/barleycorn/

THE BIG TREE
Gant's Centre, Strand
http://www.icon.co.za/~diner/gigs.htm

HARBOUR MUSIC CLUB
The Troubadour, Kalk Bay

Every Wednesday night 8:30
Entrance R15 - bar available

Information:
Rob Anderson (021) 7891021
mailto:anderson@botzoo.uct.ac.za
Nadia Scaillet (021) 4489834
mailto:noid@netactive.co.za

TAMBOER
Pretoria entertainment guide
http://www.tamboer.co.za

TUMBLEWEEDS
5 Section Street
Paarden Eiland
Cape Town
Contact: Nikki (021) 510 6371

ZA@PLAY
What's on around South Africa
http://www.mg.co.za/mg/art/music/menu-music.htm

SHOPS:

MUSICA
SA's music retail chain
http://www.musica.co.za

ONE WORLD
Selling South African Music to the World
http://www.oneworld.co.za/

OUTLAW RECORDS, CAPE TOWN
http://www.outlawrecords.co.za

Branches at:
Cape Town Central (021) 4238145
Wynberg (021) 7972482
Claremont (021) 6717887

RENEGADE MUSIC
New & Used CD's

Strand concourse Cape Town
Tel (021) 4185436

N1 City Goodwood
Tel (021) 5952436

VIBES MUSIC
N1 CITY, CAPE TOWN
Phone (021) 5953220
mailto:vibes@fast.co.za

RECORD COMPANIES, LABELS & STUDIOS:

BEATROOT MUSIC
http://www.beatrootmusic.co.za/beatrootmusic.htm

BMG
The Usual, Just Jinger, TKZee and others
http://www.click2music.co.za/

CAVEMAN PRODUCTIONS
Kevin Shirley's website
http://www.cavemanproductions.com

FRESH MUSIC
Independent multi-faceted music group
http://www.fresh.co.za

GALLO MUSIC
Supporting South African Music
http://www.gallo.co.za/

INDIE MUSIC EXPLOSION
http://www.indie.co.za

MELT2000
Independent label
http://www.melt2000.com

MIGHTY MUSIC PRODUCTIONS
http://www.mightymusic.co.za/

MOUNTAIN RECORDS
Music from and about Africa
http://www.mountain-africa.com

MUSIC FOR THE MASSES
Off Centre * Tic Tic Bang * Season To Taste * Shrapnel
Local & imported product
mailto:tictic@iafrica.com
mailto:tasty@iafrica.com

RADIUM WRECKORDS
The home of the Radio Rats, The Glee Club, the Chauffeurs
and the Pop Guns

Radium Wreckords
Suite 207
Postnet
Private Bag X10
Flamwood
2572
Klerksdorp
mailto:jhandley@aghs.co.za

RIESTER INTERNATIONAL RECORDS
Independent SA record company
http://www.riester-records.co.za/

SHEER SOUND
http://www.sheer.co.za

STREET LEVEL RECORDS
Cape Town's Independent Record Label
http://www.streetlevel.co.za/

SUNSET STUDIOS
Stellenbosch Recording Studio
http://www.freeyellow.com/members2/sunsetsound/index.html

TEQUILA MUSIC
The Home of African Music
http://www.tequila.co.za

TL MASTERING
http://www.tl-mastering.com
Digital Mastering, Editing and Remastering
mailto:prozak@iafrica.com
phone: 082 701 5096

RESOURCES:

BACKSTAGE
The Musician's Resource
http://www.backstage.co.za/

PEDRO THE MUSIC MAN
Music teacher
http://users.iafrica.com/m/mu/musicman

ROCK ARCHIVE CD-ROM
For more info or to buy/trade this CD-ROM contact:
Werner Regenthal
mailto:wrkohnse@zaz.com.br

ROCK DAY BY DAY
The history of rock as it happened
http://www.rockdaybyday.com

SHOW VILLAGE
sound - lights - dance
http://www.showvillage.co.za

MAGAZINES:

AMUZINE
African Music Magazine
http://www.cd.co.za

SLY
Online magazine
http://www.sly.co.za/

STAGE
SA Music magazine
http://www.stage.co.za

TOP FORTY
http://topforty.worldonline.co.za

RADIO:

DINOSAUR DAYS
The radio show, the CDs, the website
http://www.dinosaurdays.co.za

CAPITAL RADIO 604
Remembering Capital 604 (1979 to 1996)
http://www.Capital604.com

FMC RADIO
Internet radio supporting local music
http://www.fullmoonconcerts.co.za

SAFM
South African Radio Station
http://www.safm.co.za

BOOKS:

THE HISTORY OF CONTEMPORARY MUSIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
Garth Chilvers and Tom Jasiukowicz (TOGA, 1994)
http://www.rock.co.za/files/book_order.html

KOOS se SONGS
Koos Kombuis
http://www.oneworld.co.za

TRIVIA:

CLIMB UP ON MY MUSIC
A site dedicated to Rodriguez, the Sugar Man
http://www.rock.co.za/files/rodriguez.html

IMAGES OF ROCK
Your Ultimate Rock And Roll Experience
http://www.imagesofrock.com

POP SHOP TRACK LISTINGS
A tribute to those great Pop Shop albums
http://members.tripod.lycos.nl/Rembrandt/PopShop/PopShopHome.html

SPACE HYMNS
The only known website for Ramases
http://www.rock.co.za/ramases

VAGABOND'S WORLD
a rock music trivia site
http://cd.co.za/vagabond

PIOTR'S GREEN PAGES
Discographies and lyrics for the legends of rock
http://www.zetosa.com.pl/piotrus/greenpages

FESTIVALS:

SPLASHY FEN
The festival, the CD, the book, the website
http://www.splashyfen.co.za

OPPIKOPPI
http://www.oppikoppi.co.za

RUSTLERS VALLEY
http://www.rustlers.co.za

MUSIC ON-LINE:

CDDB
CD Database Online
http://www7.cddb.com/

CDMAX
CD player for accessing the online CD database http://www.mindspring.com/~clark_tisdale/CDmax/

DIGITAL CUPBOARD
African music, MP3s and more...
http://www.digitalcupboard.co.za

MP3.COM
Listen to MP3s of South African artists
http://www.mp3.com/regions/africa/south_africa/

MP3 SOFTWARE
Links to download sites
http://www.rock.co.za/files/mp3software.html

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14.BACK ISSUES
---------------

BACK ISSUES
http://www.rock.co.za/sarockdigest
On-line and keyword searchable
__________________________________________

15.CONTRIBUTIONS
-----------------

This e-mag is a discussion forum for rock and pop music --
South African and International -- past, present and future.

All contributions are welcome, send them to:
http://www.rock.co.za/contact

or email Brian Currin at:
mailto:brian.currin@new.co.za

All contributions in plain text e-mail format with no attachments, please.

The following types of contributions may be ignored
as they take a while to fix:

HTML format e-mails (Outlook users, please note)
e-mails all in lowercase
e-mails all in CAPITALS
e-mails with attachments

Any e-mail with an ".exe" file attached will be automatically trashed so please don't even try.
________________________________________

16.SUBSCRIPTIONS
----------------

Send an e-mail to mailto:brian.currin@new.co.za with any words or phrases that vaguely indicate acceptance or... visit http://www.rock.co.za/sarockdigest and fill in the simple form.

--------

Want to unsubscribe from this e-mag?

Surely not, but if you really must, then just reply to this e-mail,
saying "I'm bored" or "get me out of here" or "I've had enough" or whatever. I'll get the idea, eventually.

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