BAKERSVILLE FIVE (Updated 16/11/09)

Circa: 1970
Home town: Salisbury
Members:

• Francis Matos – Lead vocals
• Eddie Matos – Rhythm guitar
• Fernando Lopes – Lead guitar & organ
• Jim Irvine - Bass
• Joe Callesto – Drums

The “Bakersville” part of the band’s name was due to the fact that their rehearsal rooms were at the rear of the band leader’s residence in Salisbury’s Baker Street. During 1970 they made regular appearances Martin Locke’s Monday night television programme. At that stage, then bands were pre-recorded at 10:00 pm on the Sunday nights when the evening’s transmissions closed down. A number of guest artists appeared on this shows, one of whom, Portugal Tom Jones, is well remembered for failing to pay the band! The television company did, however, pay them twelve pounds and sixpence to cover expenses. Due to the fact that the band’s members were multi-lingual, they were able to perform in different languages giving them an edge over most bands of the day. As a result, they covered many Hispanic songs and have the distinction of performing whole of “If I Were A Carpenter” in Portugese on Martin Lock’s programme!

The Bakersville Five also had a regular gig at the Quorn Hotel after the resident band at the time left their contract mid-way through its scheduled term. The Light House was another venue which hosted them on regular occasions. At one of their gigs after a basketball match between Rhodesia and South Africa they had the distinction of meeting Ian Smith for the first, and only, time of their lives.

The plants were all going potty!!

~ The BAKERSVILLE 5 At The Athenian Hall ~

The band were so successful that they were hard pushed to keep up with their gigging scheduled.  They were supporting and rubbing shoulders with many top local and South African artists and bands, including Otis Waygood, Jody Wayne and the Rising Sons.  On one occasion they backed the well known Portugese singing sensation, Victor Gomes, at the Celebrity Club as well as on a television show hosted by Martin Locke.  Eddie recalls that, whilst they didn't get paid, the experience was invaluable!  As a result of all this, the band started to turn their eyes south, pondering tackling the professional South African circuit. 

In 1968/69, in pursuit of this goal, Eddie flew to Johannesburg where he met with Maurice Fresco at Hugo Colletti studios.  Fresco indicated that he liked what he heard on the demo tapes, particularly the band's Latin influence on the rock music they played.  This was at a time when Santana were emerging on the scene and the world was beginning to notice Latin music in the pop and rock genre.  Eddie's visit to Johannesburg was to result in the offer of a three month stint at Traveller's Lodge in Johannesburg being received.

Before they could accept, Eddie had an accident to his eye which saw him hospitalised for six weeks.  His right eye was saved but he was permanently blinded in it.  The interruption had caused a loss of momentum in the band's plans.  Jimmy Irvine departure, to Fort Victoria, complicated matters and the band was not able to take up Fresco's offer. 

EDDIE MATOS

With the band having disintegrated, Eddie Matos went on to play at the Elizabeth hotel.  Inspired by finally meeting Trini Lopez in person when he performed at the Harry Margolis hall in Salisbury, Eddie teamed up again with Mike Reed.  Together with Mike Marks and Tony Evans on drums they formed PATCH OF BLUE.

For a continuation of this thread, please proceed to PATCH OF BLUE under "BANDS".
 

BANDITS (Updated 22/01/07)

Circa:
Home town:
Members:

• Richard Culpin - Vocals
• Koos du Plessis - Lead guitar
• Jerry Barnard - Rhythm guitar
• Doug Smith - Bass
• Clive Kluckow - Drums

Additional member:

• Dave McLennan - Replaced Richard Culpin

"PUT 'EM UP!" - The BANDITS Bustin' The Scene!

From left to right:  Jerry Barnard/Dave McLennan (who replaced the late Richard Culpin)/Koos du Plessis/Doug Smith & Clive Kluckow

BANSHIES

Circa:  1967
Home town:  Gwelo
Members:

BELAIRES (Added 16/11/09)

Circa: 1962 - 1967

Home town:  Salisbury

Members:

• Angus Kennedy - Vocals
• Noel Browne - Lead guitar
• Lawrence James - Rhythm guitar
• Butch Bennett - Bass guitar
• Ian Strachan - Drums (Band leader)

In subsequent years there were the following changes:

• Des Sherwell replaced Lawrence James on rhythm guitar on his departure  overseas.
• Max Paton took over bass guitar from Butch Bennett when he left the band.
• Raymond Browne took over the drums from Ian Strachan.

On occasions, the following musicians deputised for those who were not available:

• John Roberts - Rhythm guitar
• Clyde Boyd-Sutherland - Bass guitar

Band manager from 1965 - 1967 was Johnny Rosenberg.

GETTING SHIRTY?  THE BELAIRES IN MARCH 1962

Back (left - right):  Noel Browne (lead), Lawrence James (rhythm), Ian Strachan (drums), Butch Bennett (bass).
Front:  Ronnie Pienaar (Vocals), Bonnie Bennett (Vocals).

In February, 1962, the BELAIRES started out being known by their original name, THE OUTSIDERS.  The founder members of the band were Noel Browne (lead), Ian Strachan (drums and the band leader), Lawrence James (rhythm guitar) and Butch Bennett (bass guitar).  In the first few months of the band's existence, Ronnie Pienaar and Bonny Bennett shared the vocal duties.  At that time, however, the band based themselves on the Shadows so most of the material was instrumentally based sans singing.

In the very early days of the band's existence, Noel Browne played lead guitar on a home made electric guitar which he had made himself.  (Could he have been a budding Leo Fender in his own right?).  The day arrived, however, when he was able to "upgrade" and it was with much delight that he, Butch Bennett and Lawrence James were able to visit Radio Limited to purchase their brand new Fenders ~ Lead, Fender Stratocaster, Rhythm. Fender Esquire and a Fender Precision Bass!

HAREM SARUM??

The Belaires lay it on the Sarum Youth Club audience (1964).
Left - right:  Des Sherwell, Max Paton, Angus Kennedy and Niel Browne. Note that the poster on the back wall is advertising the 1964 Mashonaland 100 motor racing event!

Ian Strachan had to wait  a little longer before being able to replace his old second hand Premier drum set.  That day, however, also arrived and a champagne coloured Gretsch drum kit with Zylgin cymbals replaced the faithful, but tired, Premier kit.  Ian was positively bristling with pride at his new acquisition!

FORGETTING THE LYRICS?

(Such was the pressure of the day to be the first to cover the latest and greatest hits, that time often didn't allow for memorising of lyrics and chords hence the evidence of "sharing" and "crib notes"!)

Left - right:  Des Sherwell, Max Paton, Noel Browne, Angus Kennedy & Raymond Browne

In June, 1962, Angus Kennedy joined the band as vocalist.  He had done a brief stint earlier that year, during his military service in the Air Force in Gwelo, with Mike Clark's band, The Spectres.

"HATFIELD, DO YOU DIG US?"

Playing at the Hatfield Hall in 1962.
Left - right:  Noel Browne, Ian Strachan & Angus Kennedy

Early in 1963 the band changed their name from the Outsiders to the Belaires, cleverly entering into an agreement with the manufacturers of Belaire shirts to promote their clothing at their gigs.  From inception the band proved popular, playing at many places and venues throughout the country.  They were seen in Salisbury, Umtali, Que Que, Gatooma, the Gwelo civic halls and at the Jewish Guild Hall in Bulawayo.  

MAZOE HOTEL (1966)

Angus Kennedy leads the vocals.

The BELAIRES broke up in October, 1967, with some of its members relocating overseas in pursuit of their careers. 

The BELAIRES gigging history sparkles with noteworthy concerts, gigs and television appearances guaranteed to stir the vague memories in many of our readers minds!    Perhaps you can remember some of these occasions?

Farmers' Clubs

Banket, Bindura, Wedza, Hartley and Salisbury South.

Hotels

Held the record for drawing the largest crowd (in excess of 1000 folk) for the Sunday afternoon sessions in the hotel's gardens.

Red Fox, Seven Mile, Kamfinsa, Highlands Park, Estoriol (Beira) and Meikles.

Rock Sessions

Duthie Hall, SOE (Sons Of England) Hall, Hatfield Hall, Lochinvar Railway Club, Sarum Youth Club (every Wednesday night having largest attendance and being the longest running regular session band, lasting all of 3 years!).

Night Clubs & Restaurants

Brett's, Le Coq D'Or, Kenya Coffee Lounge, The Wreck and Yellow Orchid.

Television

Appeared on RTV's "Teen Time Show" on a number of occasions.

Radio

The band, for a season of Saturday afternoons, played the latest hits of the day on the RBC radio half-hour programme known as "The Belaire Show", hosted by Mike Daffy.

Texan Rock Band Competition - 1965

Angus Kennedy was judged second in the Best Vocalist section.

Where Are They Now?

Noel Browne - Sadly passed away in Zimbabwe on 27 July, 1994.

Ian Strachan - Emigrated from Zimbabwe to South Africa in 2007 when he retired to live in Johannesburg.  Whilst preparing this entry for the band, the tragic news was received that Ian had died of a heart attack on 4 November, 2009, whilst lifting speakers in his music shop.

Lawrence James - Left the Belaires in 1964 and relocated to the United Kingdom.  Whereabouts unknown.

Angus Kennedy - Emigrated to Australia from Zimbabwe in 1981.  After pursuing a successful career in the motor trade he is now retired and living on a small holding a short distance from Sydney.  Still musically active.

Des Sherwell - Emigrated from Rhodesia in the early seventies to pursue a career overseas.  He is now retired in Maidenhead, England, after working for many years for Newsweek magazine.

Max Paton - Emigrated from Rhodesia in 1968 and lived in New Zealand for a number of years before moving to Sydney, Australia, where he worked for the ABC.  He is now retired but remains active in music.  Still a committed Shadows fan, he recently recorded and produced his own CD as a tribute to the band.  He is also involved in the refurbishment and repair of guitars.

Raymond Browne - Emigrated from Zimbabwe to South Africa and is living in Cape Town.

Circa:  1969
Home town:  Fort Victoria
Members:

• Kevin "Dutch" Van der Westhuizen - Bass & vocals
• Jim Dawson - Lead guitar & vocals
• Tony Geranios - Drums

With the demise of NOCTURNAL CREATURE, the three remaining members renamed themselves BESERK and continued to pursue their musical interests.  The band's sound hardened after Jim Dawson had discovered - and equipped himself! - with an effects pedal or two.  The band started to play further afield and fondly remember one gig at an agriculture show where they had to balance their gear on a wall separating the pig sties from the performance area!  As with so many of the bands of the era, BESERK came to an end when both Dutch and Tony were called up for national service.

(See also NOCTURNAL CREATURE, THATCH and ANVIL)

At the time of their formation, most of the band's members were university students - Kinnear and Lloyd were student doctors and Bunting was studying law.  Herbert worked for a local accountancy firm and Schofield joined after responding to a newspaper advert, placed by the band, for a trumpet player. 

The band specialised in covers of bands of the day including Chicago, Blood, Sweat & Tears and Keef Hartley, appearing regularly at Brett's Night Club and Le Coq D'Or - as well as the usual rounds of social events like weddings and school dances - during their tenure. 

Circa: 1977

Participated in the Texan Rock Band Competition at Trade Fair Rhodesia in 1977.

Circa: 1977
Home town:  Salisbury
Members:

• Nigel Sweet - Guitar & vocals
• Ray Taylor - Guitar
• Ian Burton - Bass
• Jimmy Duncan - Drums

A high school band comprising scholars from Ellis Robins. Participated in the Texan Rock Band Competition at Trade Fair Rhodesia in 1977.

• Dennis Scott - Drums & vocals
• Bill Malkin - Rhythm guitar
• Deidre Prentis - Vocals & keyboards
  

• Charles "Boonchie" Taylor - Lead guitar
• Brian Russ - Rhythm guitar
• Chookie Milner - Bass
• Cecil "Chilli" Porter - Drums

• John Edmond - Guitar, harmonica & vocals
• Derek Dillon - Guitar
• Bill Coleman - Guitar & vocals
• Eugene van der Watt - Washboard
• Ian Kerr - Tea chest bass, later electric bass