The History Of Rock – The South African Connection [LP 1987]

Sleeve Notes

South African music has come a long way since the 60’s when artists like Dickie Loader and The Blue Jeans and The A-Cads, Johnny Sharp and The Squires, The Bats, The Staccatos, The Square Set, The Flames, and Freedom’s Children had their fair share of hit records. These were probably some of the most exciting years for me musically. The 70’s saw a lot of these acts replaced by a new phase, with groups like The Dealians, The Rising Sons, Charisma, Tidal Wave, and later McCully Workshop, Rabbitt and rock act Stingray, of which I am proud to say I was a member. This collection highlights some of the hits and should re-kindle some of those old memories.

DENNIS EAST

It is with pleasure that I look back at the later half of the 60’s and early 70’s and realise how significant the Local Recording Industry was at that time. That pleasure is tinged with regret when I realise how competitive we were and we lost opportunities to make inroads internationally because of the lack of vision, know how and confidence from the top executives at that time. Artists such as The Dream Merchants, The Flames, and The Square Set, handled correctly could have assured us of international recognition which would still be of benefit to us today. I believe we are further from International recognition than we were then, besides phenomenal success of Clout on the international music scene, nobody has even come close to assuring long term recognition of the talents in this wonderful country.

GRAHAME BEGGS

The album pays tribute to some of the many and varied talents of South African musicians, writers, and producers who have contributed to the local and International music scene. Internationally, South Africa has always been well represented by the likes of Manfred Mann and Phil Ramone. Paul De Villiers has had enormous succcess recently with US band Mr. Mister and Trevor Rabin was undoubtedly the catalyst behind supergroup Yes’s re-emergence as a major rock force. One of the most successful local producers was Grahame Beggs (now heading his own Sunshine Label) who was responsible for producing hits for The Square Set and others. This album will, no doubt, evoke many good memories from the simple pop hits of the Sixties of The Bats and The Dream Merchants and the wonderful soul hits of The Staccatos and The Flames to the rockier sound of the Seventies from groups like Stingray. That the 4 Jack’s and Jill and Clout were able to make such an impact overseas is only a fair indication of the power of South African rock and pop music.

PETER HANNAY