ARTISTS

JAMES PHILLIPS
(Inducted 1/1/2002)

Recording as a solo artist in his own name, or under the pseudonym of Bernoldus Niemand, or fronting groups such as Corporal Punishment, The Cherry Faced Lurchers (later simply called the Lurchers) and Illegal Gathering, James Phillips challenged the Apartheid system. However he is recognised here for making a lot of people realise that Rock music could be sung with a South African accent, or better still in Afrikaans. The 'alternatief' Afrikaans movement boasting such notable stars as Koos Kombuis, Valiant Swart, Johannes Kerkorrel and more recently Karen Zoid owe a huge debt to James. Sadly James passed away in 1995 after a car accident.

Webpage: James Phillips


PIET BOTHA
(Inducted 1/1/2002)

Piet was born on the 18th July 1955 and has been a stalwart of the SA rock scene since the 70s when he started the band Raven. In the early 80s Wildebeest combined African, Afrikaans and Rock sounds into one hybrid mixture. His band Jack Hammer, first formed in 1984, defined good time rock and played support to Deep Purple and ZZ Top on their SA tours. In the 90's Piet helped solidify the Alt.Afr.Rock movement alongside artists like Koos Kombuis and Valiant Swart. He continues to perform regularly in and around Pretoria and at most of the festivals during the year. And he can usually be seen performing unplugged at the coast during the summer months. Piet (affectionately known as "Hammer" to his friends) is an intelligent, warm and sincere person who is seen as a mentor and father-figure to young aspiring musicians like Jonathan Martin and Not My Dog.

Webpage: Piet Botha


CINDY ALTER
(Inducted 1/12/2002)

Cindy Alter is the first woman to be inducted into the SA Rock Hall of Fame. With her powerful rock voice, she achieved huge success fronting the group Clout. The band had a number 2 hit in the UK with an old Righteous Brothers song 'Substitute'. The song went to number 1 in numerous countries including SA. She also found fame with The Cindy Alter Band, which eventually became Zia. Under this latter name, they toured Africa and Europe and after opening for the Bee Gees in Paris, they were invited to join them on their US tour. This offer fell through and Cindy soon quit the group and moved to Los Angeles.

Webpage: Clout


JOHANNES KERKORREL
(Inducted 1/12/2002)

Born Ralph Rabie, Kerkorrel made the transition from journalist with ease. His first live performance was at the Green Room in Cape Town in 1986, and he soon developed a reputation singing politically astute songs like 'Wat 'n Vriend het Ons in PW'. He met up and performed with Andre le Toit (later Koos Kombuis) and formed the Gerefomeerde Blues Band. His debut 'Eet Kreef' was released in 1989 and was followed by the groundbreaking nationwide Voëlvry Tour. Alongside Koos Kombuis and James Phillips (then working under the name Bernoldus Niemand), the tour brought this new Afrikaans rock to the masses and has had long lasting repercussions on the SA music scene. Kerkorrel released 5 other albums after 'Eet Kreef' and a greatest hits compilation called 'Tien Jaar Later'. In November 2002 Kerkorrel committed suicide. His legacy is seen in today's Afrikaans rock artists.

Webpage: Johannes Kerkorrel


KOOS KOMBUIS
(Inducted 1/12/2002)

It has been argued that Koos Kombuis is the Bob Dylan of South Africa. However we at the SA Rock Hall of Fame believe that he is in fact the Koos Kombuis of South Africa. He has written a unique chapter in the annuls of SA Rock, spearheading the highly influential Voëlvry Tour and taking huge strides in taking Afrikaans from the hands of the oppressors and putting into the mouths of the poets and artists. Koos is possibly the only living South African artist to have a tribute album made in his honour and this shows the respect e has earned during his career. Songs like 'Lisa se Klavier' and 'Johnny Is Nie Dood Nie' are covered regularly, again a sign of the impact of his songs. Koos Kombuis is a national treasure and should be made a protected species.

Webpage: Koos Kombuis


SESSION MUSICIANS

JETHRO BUTOW
(Inducted 1/1/2002)

Not a household name in South Africa, but Jethro has played guitar on more South African albums than can be found in the average South African household. His name has been associated with Kariba, Morocko, Steve Linnegar's Snakeshed, Roger Lucey, Lesley Rae Dowling, Little Sister and John Ireland to name a few. Not afraid of diversity, he has even been heard on albums by Carike Keuzenkamp. He is surely the hardest strumming man in SA Rock.


OTHER INDUSTRY PEOPLE

PATRIC VAN BLERK
(Inducted 1/1/2002)

Since the early 70's Patric van Blerk has stamped his mark on South African music. He has done so by writing songs ('Long Days and Lonely Nights' for Lincoln and co-writing 'Paradise Road' for Joy and 'Charlie' for Rabbitt), launching and running record labels (Joburg, Sonovision, PvB) and most importantly produced records for South African giants like Rabbitt, Julian Laxton, Margaret Singana and Radio Rats. He is still working tirelessly in the industry, and long may he do so.


BENJY MUDIE
(Inducted 14/8/2002)

Of Scottish origin, Benjy Mudie started out in the music industry working in record shops. He later became the A&R man for WEA records, signing such luminaries as Lesley Rae Dowling, Baxtop and Falling Mirror. He has ventured briefly into the realms of songwriting, getting co-writing credit for Little Sister's song 'You Got My Heart', but it is mainly for his running of record labels, notably Tusk and more recently Fresh and Retro Fresh that he is honoured here. With these labels he has tirelessly dedicated himself to putting South African music out there, showing an unshaking belief in the quality of SA music.


LLOYD ROSS
(Inducted 1/12/2002)

Lloyd Ross is the driving force behind the independent Shifty Records. The label has been responsible for numerous influential and ground breaking albums. Through the label, Ross has brought artist like James Phillips, Koos Kombuis, Johannes Kerkorrel, Jennifer Ferguson and Tananas to the fore. Essential compilations like 'A Naartjie in our Sosatie' and 'Voëlvry' have also been put out by the label. Ross generally has a had a hand in producing most of the Shifty offerings. Of late he has been working with the critically acclaimed pairing of Matthew van der Want and Chris Letcher. Ross also recorded the theme music to the popular TV prison drama series 'Vyfster'. This beautiful guitar instrumental reached number 3 in the SA charts. The name Lloyd Ross has become synonymous with challenging and quality music.


NON SOUTH AFRICANS

SIXTO RODRIGUEZ
(Inducted 1/1/2002)

Known to his fans simply as Rodriguez, this unassuming Detroit, USA resident, quietly became a huge cult figure as his album 'Cold Fact' made its way into thousands of homes, based purely on word of mouth. His anti-establishment lyrics struck a chord with apartheid era teenagers. This and his music had a profound affect on the South African music scene. Just Jinger may be the most obvious in recent times to reflect the influence of the man, but there are many more who have picked up a guitar with the urge to create after listening to 'Cold Fact'.

Webpage: Rodriguez




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These pages are maintained by John Samson (e:mail john@sarockdigest.com)