How decades of shared stages and studio sessions unite these masters of the blues for one legendary night at “Further On Up The Road”.
By Brian Currin
At The Daisy Jones Bar at Summerhill Wines in Stellenbosch this September, something extraordinary is about to unfold. The upcoming “Further On Up The Road” concert on 13 September isn’t just another gig – it’s a brotherhood reunion in the very town where many of these musical connections were forged.
THE BROTHERHOOD BEGINS
Steve Louw, Willem Möller and Rob Nagel (now known as Big Bob Nagel) first met at the Stellenbosch Folk Club in 1976. The real alchemy started in 1983 when Steve and Rob formed All Night Radio with guitarist Nico Burger. This seminal 80s band became legendary for their raw, blues-infused sound and the musical bonds it fostered.
When All Night Radio evolved into Big Sky in 1990, Rob Nagel played on Steve’s debut album, producing the classic “Waiting for the Dawn” – a track that became an anthem for South African rock. Nagel formed the Blues Broers in early 1990 and Albert (drummer Frank Frost’s son) joined in 1994 at the age of 17.
After Frank’s death in 1999, Albert’s mother Maggie became the band’s manager and later married bass player Rob Nagel, creating what Albert calls a situation where he’s “probably the only guitarist who’s played in the same band with two dads!”
Albert Frost has also pursued a very successful solo career winning a SAMA in 2017.
THE RODRIGUEZ CONNECTION
One of the most significant chapters came in 1998, when Steve Louw and Willem Möller were part of Rodriguez‘s historic South African tour. This tour became central to the Oscar-winning documentary “Searching for Sugar Man,” showcasing both Rodriguez’s incredible story and the calibre of South African musicians who backed him during this historic homecoming.
THE EXTENDED FAMILY
The connections deepen through Simon Orange, the legendary keyboardist and longtime Blues Broers member who co-founded Frosted Orange with Albert Frost in 1996. His nearly 30-year career has seen collaborations with Valiant Swart, Steve Louw’s Big Sky and countless others, creating additional layers within the South African blues community.
Willem Möller’s role extended beyond performing – he produced two Blues Broers albums in the 1990s, further cementing his position as both collaborator and creative catalyst within this musical brotherhood.
The enduring nature of these relationships was captured on the DVD “Big Sky Presents Heart & Soul,” recorded live at The Little Theatre in Cape Town in 2008 – preserving a moment that represented the culmination of relationships begun in the mid-1970s.
A LEGACY WRITTEN IN SOUND
Steve Louw’s journey from All Night Radio through Big Sky shows an artist who has never forgotten his musical brothers. His performances continue to feature many of the same musicians who’ve stood beside him for decades, including Willem Möller, Simon Orange and Bed On Bricks drummer Tim Rankin.
FURTHER ON UP THE ROAD: BROTHERS REUNITED
The 13 September concert represents something rare – a genuine brotherhood reunion. When Albert Frost, All Night Radio, Big Bob Nagel, the Blues Broers, and Steve Louw & Big Sky share the stage, they’re celebrating many decades of collaboration that has weathered industry changes and time itself.
The setlist will feature classics from such albums as: “The Heart’s the Best Part,” “Waiting for the Dawn”, “Devils And Gods”, and “Sharp Street”. But expect more than nostalgia – there will be tributes to the blues masters who inspired them: Little Walter, Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry, Howlin’ Wolf, John Lee Hooker and more.
THE UNBREAKABLE BOND
These aren’t artists who worked together briefly and moved on – they’re musical brothers who have chosen to stand together across decades. Willem Möller appears in Steve Louw line-ups from 1976 through to 2025. Rob Nagel’s presence weaves through multiple bands like a constant thread. Simon Orange’s collaborations show how these relationships continue to spawn new creative partnerships.
This makes “Further On Up The Road” more than just a concert. It’s proof that music creates brotherhood, and that the best musical relationships are lifelong bonds forged in shared passion and mutual respect.
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to witness musical history – where decades of collaboration and enduring friendship come together for one unforgettable night in the Stellenbosch winelands.
“Further On Up The Road” takes place on Saturday, 13 September at Daisy Jones, Summerhill Wines, Stellenbosch. Doors open at 17:00. This is a seated show with table bookings available at +27 64 968 2015.
Ticket link – https://qkt.io/TFAbm6
Event link – https://www.facebook.com/events/1308119517398997/
