The Flames

Legends Of South African Rock & Soul Music

Biography

The Flames were a pioneering South African band from Durban, active primarily in the 1960s, known for blending soul, rock, and psychedelic influences into a distinctive sound.

Formed in 1962, The Flames featured core members Steve Fataar, Edries “Brother” Fataar, Ricky Fataar, and later Blondie Chaplin. Their multicultural background and genre-defying style made them stand out in apartheid-era South Africa, where they gained popularity with covers and original material that fused R&B, rock, and soul. Their 1968 chart-topping hit “For Your Precious Love” became a defining moment, showcasing their vocal harmonies and emotional depth.

In 1970, the band relocated to London and caught the attention of Beach Boys member Carl Wilson, who produced their final album, The Flame, released on the Beach Boys’ Brother Records label. Ricky Fataar and Blondie Chaplin later joined the Beach Boys, contributing to their early 1970s work. Though The Flames disbanded shortly after, their legacy endures as one of South Africa’s most influential and boundary-pushing musical acts.

Burning Bright! – a short history of The Flames

From the RetroFresh reissues in 2011, reprinted with kind permission

The Flames were formed by brothers Steve Fataar on vocals and guitar and Edries (Brother) Fataar on vocals and bass, in Durban in 1962 under the management of Bing Kinsey. The band was originally augmented by George Faber on drums and Eugene Champion on guitar. Soon however Ricky Fataar joined on drums and Edries Fredericks took over on guitar and vocals. This formation recorded many 45s and the band’s first album entitled “Ummm! Ummm! Oh Yeah!!!” after a Buddy Holly tune from his album “Showcase”.

Edries Fredericks left the band around 1966 in order to provide a more regular income and start a family. He was replaced by Mitchell (Baby) Duval on guitar and vocals. They recorded the Flames’ second album “That’s Enough” released in early 1967. This album closed with the Flames first take at covering a 1958 Jerry Butler soul classic “For Your Precious Love”. During these early years, the Flames grew in fame and stature, often winning band competitions and polls. At age 12 Ricky Fataar won the title of Best Rock Drummer in South Africa.

After Mitchell Duval’s departure, the Flames needed a new singer/guitarist. They invited Blondie Chaplin to join them for the recording of their third album “Burning Soul!”. His amazing soulful voice and guitar playing helped change the band’s direction to the classic Motown and Atlantic soul repertoire. This line-up went on to record their fourth and best album “Soulfire!!” in early 1968. This album featured their new version of “For Your Precious Love” with its unforgettable spoken introduction. This recording was released on a 45 which took the Flames to the top of the charts over much of Southern Africa during the middle of 1968.

In between “Burning Soul!” and “Soulfire!!”, The Flames also found time to help Una Valli record her masterpiece “Soul Meeting!!” by backing her on six of the twelve tracks. Their collective version of “Satisfaction” gives Aretha Franklin something to think about! Later that year they moved to London, where they played the club scene. It was at Blaise’s that the Beach Boys’ Al Jardine and Carl Wilson spotted them and later invited them to move to the United States and record for the Beach Boys own Brother label. They dropped the final letter from their name, became The Flame, and started writing their own material. The album entitled simply “The Flame” was released in late 1970 and was the first-ever rock album recorded in quadraphonic sound. It’s a startling set of hard rockers, smooth ballads, and power epics.

A second album was recorded but shelved after Steve Fataar and Edries (Brother) Fataar elected to return home. Ricky Fataar and Blondie Chaplin were later invited to become full-time members of The Beach Boys, staying for three albums, “Carl And The Passions: So Tough”, “Holland” and the double live set “In Concert”. All feature compositions by Ricky Fataar and Blondie Chaplin and all are well worth seeking out.

The Flames live on in their wonderful records, five albums and fifteen 45s in all. To this day their powerful and melodic playing and singing continue to thrill both old and new fans.

Way back in the 1970s, the original master tapes for most of The Flames’ records were sadly lost in a factory fire. Every effort has been made to return this wonderful music to you in the best possible sound quality by high-grade transcriptions from the best possible vinyl sources. Listen for yourself and judge if we have succeeded.

Enjoy the Flames!

Bas Möllenkramer
The Netherlands 2010

Discography

Albums

Singles

“Streamliner” was released as a single in the UK in 1968, with “Follow The Sun” by The Several on the b-side.

South Africa’s sensational hit ‘soul’ group – they have topped the charts in their own country five times – here make their first original recording in Great Britain. A meeting with songwriter Colin Scott has resulted in a bright, swinging, complex sound that combines the best of surfing rhythm with their own distinctive guitar and vocal style. Three of the four Flames are brothers, the youngest being 16 year old Ricky on drums.

Back cover of 7″ single

Various Artists Compilations (selected)

• It’s Happening Discogs | Spotify
• It’s Happening Again Discogs | Spotify

Songs that inspired The Flames

A few of the original recordings and hit versions that shaped their sound

Musicians

• Steve Fataar: guitar, vocals (born 14 March 1943, passed away 18 January 2020), 1962–1970
• Edries “Brother” Fataar: bass, vocals (born 6 July 1945, passed away 10 September 1978), 1962–1970
• Ricky Fataar: drums (born 5 September 1952), 1964–1970
• Edries Fredericks: guitar (born 26 February 1948), 1964–1967
• Mitchell “Baby” Duval: guitar, 1967
• Terrence “Blondie” Chaplin: guitar, vocals (born 7 July 1951), 1967–1970

Comments

Singles with additional credits

“Maniac” b/w “Modern Casanova” released in 1963 was credited to Steve & The Flames

“He’ll Only Hurt You” b/w “You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me” released in 1966 was credited to Zane Adams & The Flames

For Your Precious Love

The Flames recorded two versions of “For Your Precious Love”, originally by Jerry Butler & The Impressions in 1958. Version 1 appears on the “That’s Enough” album from 1967 and the “Ball Of Flames” compilation released in 1970. The streaming version of the “That’s Enough” album incorrectly uses version 2 (with Steve’s spoken intro and Blondie on lead vocals) which was a number one hit and was actually released on the “Soulfire!!” album in 1968.

For Your Precious Love (version 1)

Useless Illusions

“Useless Illusions” from “Soulfire!!” is credited to Ricky Fataar, though the tune is actually “Nights In White Satin” by The Moody Blues with different lyrics.

Nights In White Satin – The Moody Blues (1967)

You Keep Me Hanging On

“You Keep Me Hanging On” was originally by Diana Ross & The Supremes in 1966, though the version by The Flames (released on “Soulfire!!“) is very similar to the arrangement by Vanilla Fudge including the opening section known as “Illusions Of My Childhood, part one“.

You Keep Me Hanging On – Vanilla Fudge (1967)

Burning Soul!

This album was released in the UK in 1968 with a different cover.

UK cover

Is it The Flame or The Flames?

In 1970, The Flames changed their name to The Flame (dropping the “s”) upon relocating to the United States to record for The Beach Boys’ Brother Records label, avoiding confusion with similarly named groups. Their self-titled album, produced by Carl Wilson, was the only non-Beach Boys release on Brother Records. Blondie Chaplin and Ricky Fataar later joined The Beach Boys.

The album was issued internationally under the name “The Flame”, including in the US and UK. However, the South African release retained their original name and appeared in January 1971. In 2011, the album was reissued via Amazon’s CD-R On Demand Reissue service as “Psychedelic Essentials“, and it appears on Spotify under that title.

Compare the album covers

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