LAVENDER COTTAGE

Circa:
Home town:
Members:

LEPRECHAUN/S

Circa: 1975 - still going!
Home town: Bulawayo (Adopted!)
Members:

• Dave Monks - Bass guitar, banjo & vocals

• Harry Monks - Drums & vocals

• Ted Moynihan - Guitars

• Richard Thompson - Guitars & vocals

• Dave Starkey - Guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo & vocals.

• Alex Bowers - Guitar, bass & vocals

• Nico van Wyngaardt - Guitar & vocals

• Gerry Haughey - Guitar & vocals

• Richard Perry - Replaced Alex Bowers

• Dawn Selby - Keyboards & vocals, replaced Dave Starkey
  

Dave & Harry Monks

Dave Monks & Richard Thompson - Police Club, Bulawayo (Circa 1975/76)

After approximately nine months in South Africa the band took up a season at Bobby Frazer's "Magic Moon" night club in Bulawayo. By this stage their line-up was in a state of constant flux and the band arrived in Bulawayo as a four piece - the Monks brothers, Ted Moynihan and a South African musician, Richard Thompson.

The band very quickly settled into Rhodesian life and spent a number of years in the country before returning to Umhlanga Rocks (Durban) in South Africa. Whilst in Rhodesia they teamed up with Mike Westcott and enjoyed considerable success with the single releases "We Are The Shumba Drinkers" and "It's A Long Way To Mukumbura".

Dave Monks (Bass) & brother, Harry (drums) - Las Vegas Niteclub, Bulawayo (75/76)

Since returning to South Africa a number of personnel changes occurred until the Monks bothers decided to "go it alone". The duo persisted for a number of years before Harry found a preference for disco's.  Since then Dave Monks has continued as a solo performer and continues to gig actively.  He has also established his own label, Monks Music, and has produced solo work.

Leprechaun at the Holiday Inn, Eastern Boulevard, Cape Town, 1981

See also the following website: http://come.to/davemonks

Recordings:

Singles

We Are The Shumba Drinkers (with Mike Westcott on vocals)(1978)
It's A Long Way To Mukumbura (with Mike Westcott on vocals)(1978)
She's A Queen

Albums

Crock Of Gold (1978)
Say No More (1980)
Live Leprechaun At The Jolly Roger (1981)
Sing Along Souvenirs - Volume 1 (1985) on Transistor Music label
Sing Along Souvenirs - Volume 2
Sing Along Souvenirs - Volume 3 (1987) on Transistor Music label
Favourites (1990) on Transistor Music label
Kings Of The Castle (1988) on Transistor Music label
Golden Souvenirs (1992) on Transistor Music label
All Night Party (1994)on Monks Music label
Tavern Tour (1995)on Monks Music label
Kiddies Party Songs (1995) on Monks Music label

Dave Monks - as Dave Monks & the Followers - has also released an album and cassette of gospel music:

I Believe (1997) on Monks Music.

LIGHTHOUSE (Added 09/05/06)

Circa:  1977

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

LINCOLN (Updated 04/03/08)

Circa: 1970 - 1980
Home town:  Bulawayo
Members:

• Jack Thain - Vocals

• Butch Cook - Vocals & lead guitar

• George Felton - Bass

• Rudi Gouma - Keyboards (Joined 1979)

• Mike Shelton - Drums

LINCOLN (1 x 5)

LINCOLN was the name change adopted by the very successful Bulawayo band, the SILHOUETTES.  Adding Rudi Gouma to the team, they relocated to South Africa in 1970 spurred on by Mike Westcott's encouragement to do so.   Shortly after arriving in South Africa they signed up with prominent local producer, Terry Dempsey.  Dempsey soon arranged for them to record a single, "Long Days And Lonely Nights", penned by Patrick van Blerk.  It was duly released on Dempsey's MAP Records label.

The single raced into the charts peaking at No 2 where it paused after failing to dislodge Sweet's "Funny, Funny" from the top spot.  Nevertheless, "Long Days..." hung about the top of the charts for nine weeks, very definitely establishing the band on the local music scene.

In February 1971 the band took up a residency at the Holiday Inn in Maseru and, during their time there, recorded a second single for Dempsey entitled "Everlasting Faith".  Released again on his MAP Records label, the song failed to attract the buying public's enthusiasm to the extent that "Long Days And Lonely Nights" had.

MASERU - Linkin' Up!	Harmonious Times...

Whilst at Maseru, the band were offered a three month gig at Le Coq D'Or in Salisbury, Rhodesia's capital city.  The band accepted this gig and, having completed it, moved on to a residency at 55 Bar at the Skyline Hotel in Hillbrow from December 1971 - June 1972.  This was followed by a stint back in their home town of Bulawayo.

These were the days of great energy, hope and promise as the band continued to ply their trade in their search for the really "big break".  It was a time which saw Terry Dempsey approach the band with a song he had written called "Daydreamer".  He arranged for the band, backed by the Johannesburg Pop Orchestra, to record the song.

It was during this period that Butch Cook, encouraged by Dempsey, was developing his own song writing skills.   He penned significant songs with promise, one of which was called "Mary Joe".  The song was later produced by Dave McKay, the internationally respected producer associated with successful international artists and acts such as the Seekers and Cliff Richard.  After having assessed the potential of "Mary Joe", McKay suggested that it be taken to the Hollies who he believed would be the ideal band to perform the song.  Unfortunately, and for whatever reason, this never happened.

In due course, Terry Dempsey attended the Tokyo Song Festival with "Daydreamer" amongst his portfolio.  At the festival he was approached by David Cassidy's manager who sought permission for Cassidy to cover the song.  This was agreed to and the rest, as they say, is history.  "Daydreamer" turned into a multi-million dollar success for Cassidy.  Meanwhile, the Lincoln version has never seen the light of the day.    Shortly after this Lincoln's contract with Terry Dempsey came to an end and the band moved on to new pastures.

Taking A GAMBIT (1977)

In 1978, whilst gigging at Gambits in Pretoria, the band were asked to record a song called "Everlasting Love" (not the Steve Ellis/ Love Affair release of the same name!) by an A&R representative from EMI.  The band leapt at the opportunity to re-establish themselves on the local scene but again, after recording the song, industry disagreements and conflicts between recording companies, producers and radio stations ensured that it was never released.

In 1975 the band were once again "homeward bound" as they completed a season at Bulawayo's "Talk Of The Town" night club.  This period saw a split in the band as it was known.  Jack Thain and Rudi Gouma had understandably become disillusioned with the industry.  Part-time/relief bassist, Jock Cameron, also decided that he had more important priorities in life.  Mike Shelton also decided to chuck it in.

Butch Cook	Rudi Gouma	Jock Cameron

It was a difficult period for Butch Cook who was determined to keep the band going.  His desire was further under-pinned by the fact that the band had an outstanding season at the Palm Grove in Margate to fulfill.  Against this background, Butch had the sadness of his father's passing to contend with.  With a determination to prevail, the interruptions to the band's line-up were quickly repaired and the "new" group comprised:

• Butch Cook - Vocals and lead guitar

• Kevin Mason - Vocals and bass guitar

• Trevor Ellis - Keyboards

• Ian Webster - Drums

LINCOLN MARK II
From left to right:  Trevor, Ian, Butch and Kevin

Repaired, re-invigorated and committed, Lincoln completed their residency at the Palm Grove before proceeding to the Blue Angel in Durban's Mayfair Hotel.  This gig was followed by a season at East London's Windsor Hotel, followed by the Lonsdale.  It was whilst at the Lonsdale that Trevor Ellis took his leave, being replaced by Mike Porrill in 1978.  The band continued to follow their fortunes at Gambits in Pretoria and in venues in Maritzburg.  Eventually, jaded and unable to achieve the success they so badly strived for, the band dissolved and the members went their respective ways.

Flower Power...well...sort of...	Heavy Hippie?
Scratch Your What?	Show Us A Leg!
Mom...Why Can't We Join Boy Scouts Like The Other Okes?  We Don't Like Brownies!
Mayfair Hotel, Durban - 1976	Lazy Axe - Mayfair Hotel
Robinson Lake, Jo'burg (1972)	Altogether Now!

(See also the SILHOUETTES under "Bands" and BUTCH COOK under "In The Tradition" pages).

Recordings:

Singles

Long Days and Lonely Nights (1971) on MAP
Everlasting Faith (1971)
Daydreamer (1972)
Mary Joe (1972)
Everlasting Love (1978)
I Believe (1971) on MAP
Do It My Way (1972) on MAP

LINCOLN BROTHERS
Circa: 1979
Home town:
Members:

• Butch Cook - Lead guitar & vocals

• Rob Milne - Guitar & vocals

LIVIN' END 

Circa:  1969 - 1975
Home town:  Salisbury
Members:

• "Blondie" Harris - Vocals (and a famed Rhodesian rugby wing!)

• Rod Kopman - Lead guitar

• Digby Colin - Rhythm guitar

• Tony Whitaker-Wilson - Bass

• Gary Jones - Drums

• Juanito - Keyboards

Additional Members:

• Lofty Hughes - Vocals
• Denis Jones - Drums (ex GENTLEMEN)
• Spike Saul - Rhythm (ex ETONIANS)
• Fernando Lopez - Keyboards 

THE LIVIN' END awash with go-go girls!!

After leaving Guinea Fowl school and completing a nine month sting in the Army, Rod Kopman and Tony Whitaker-Wilson formed the LIVIN' END.  The band played regularly at all the main local clubs including the Discotheque (below the Rhodes Cinema), Bretts, La Boheme and Le Coq d'Or.  They were also the resident band on one of Martin Locke's Rhodesian Television music shows.  Another venue which saw The Livin' End perform regularly was the Mazoe Hotel and the band even played in Beira at the Estoral Hotel and the Railway Club.  The band eventually took up residence at the Park Lane Hotel.

LOOSE ENZ (Added 29/07/07)

Circa:  1979 - 1983

Home town:  Que Que

Members:

• Frank Green - Lead guitar (later replaced by Gary ??)

• Les Kirby - Guitar

• Mike McGuire - Bass (later replaced by "Cool" Jules ???)

• Mike Burchell - Drums

The band kicked off their "career" as the resident outfit at the Impala Grill in Redcliff during the reign of Frenchman, Michael Longcault.  After a year or two there they moved over to the Risco Club every Friday and Saturday.  In between these regular gigs, they'd squeeze in appearances at the Que Que Hotel and the Golden Mile.  Apparently one of  their most memorable gigs was an all-nighter at a game farm, the names of the owners of which will not be revealed!  If any of you were there please contact the site administrator!!  Somewhere along the way, Les Kirby was spotted by a talent scout of sorts and was invited to audition with Martin Norris at Shed Studios in Salisbury.  Les presented himself and cut a solo disc which never came to anything.  So much for "Pop Idols"!!

Four "Loose Enz" (Waiting For An Impala To Grill!)

From left to right:  Mike Burchell/Mike McGuire, Les Kirby & Frank Green

With "Independence" having come about in Zimbabwe, Frank and Mike decided to return to South Africa and, although they were replaced by able substitutes, the original members of the band had lost energy, focus and interest.  Indeed, they looked forward to the weekends they weren't playing although the money had certainly been of great benefit.  Mike Burchell, for instance, was driving a new Mitsubishi Lancer thanks to the earnings he had made through music.

Mike took himself off on holiday to South Africa and, upon his return, played one more wedding gig at the Golden Mile before chucking it in.  In 1983 he emigrated to South Africa and made his home in  East London.  It has not been established what eventually became of Loose Enz as the band seemingly continued after Mike's departure.