RAR ROCK BAND (Added 09/05/06)

Circa:  1977

RAIDERS

Circa:
Home town:
Members:

(See the ETONIANS)

RAMBLERS  (Updated 25/05/2012)

(Circa: Formed in 1962
Home town:  Bulawayo
Members:

• Rodney Share - Vocals

• Dave "Choppie" Laing - Rhythm guitar & vocals 

• Rick Laing - Lead guitar & vocals

• Dennis Laing - Bass guitar & vocals

• Dick Cook - Drums

The RAMBLERS were a very popular, and high profile, band on the Bulawayo entertainment scene during the years of their existence.  They played at most well known clubs and venues on the local circuit, including the Jewish Guild Hall, BAC,  and the McDonalds Club.  On occasion they ventured further afield to Victoria Falls and other smaller towns within easy striking distance of Bulawayo.  In 1967 they won a band competition staged at the large City Hall.  It is believed that Mike Westcott was one of the judges at this event.

The band cut their first single at RTV studios.  Brian Ash, then of RTV, sent the tapes to Dan Hill in South Africa.  Unaware as to how their recordings had been received in the RSA it came as something of a surprise for the band to hear "Carol", penned by Rick Laing, suddenly being air played by LM Radio.  No contract with the band had preceded this and there had been no communication of any kind with the record company which had decided to promote the song!

The band then recorded "The Banana Song" and "At My Window" in Bulawayo under the guiding hand of Jeff Schwegman.  Rick's younger brother and sister, who were just children at the time, joined in by singing backup vocals to "The Banana Song".  They will be remembered for being able to sing an octave above the lead vocalist!  Malcolm Laing went on to have his own band at a later stage and, sadly, Maralyn passed away in 2003 from cancer in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.

The group recorded at least another two songs, one of which was entitled "When You Read".

The band made a number of television appearances, working closely with Moolji Parshotam and Brian Ash.  Typically of the technology of the day, their performances would be recorded and they would then lip sync them when the show was actually flighted.  Rick Laing recalls that the frequency of their television appearances would increase whenever they'd made a fresh recording!  He recalls, on another occasion, that Brian Ash arranged a bit of exercise for them when he arranged for them to be filmed from an RTV van they were chasing on foot down Abercorn Street one lunchtime past OK Bazaars, witnessed by many a confused onlooker!

During a visit to South Africa in 1999, Rick Laing arranged for the band's original vocalist, Rod Share, to sing "Carol" and "At My Window" and recorded this on camera.  Returning to the States, he put this recording onto an 18 track digital recorder and added new backing tracks to the raw material.  He also had his son, Trevor, sing a remake of "When You Read".

 Recordings:

Singles

The band recorded the following songs penned by Rick Laing.

Carol/Don't Want To Go
The Banana Song
When You Read/At My Window

Rick Laing's solo career is going through a strong revival at present since the release of his 11-track recording, "I Left My Heart In Rhodesia" in late 2011.  This album may be purchased on-line at:  www.cdbaby.com

Rick has also been collaborating with his brother, Malcolm, and an increasing amount of material is becoming available from these two talents.  For a taste of the Laing Brothers' fare check out:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQBT7KEF1YY

The song may be downloaded at:  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/laingbrothers

ROCK ISLAND LINE (Updated 21/04/2013)

Circa:  1970
Home town: Salisbury
Members:

• Benny Miller - Lead guitar

• Rick Barlow - Lead vocals and guitar

• Jay Jackson - Bass (formerly of the Jagged Edges)
• Billy Toon - Drums

Rock Island Line was created by Benny Miller something of an offshoot to the Otis Waygood Blues Band.  At the time, Benny still had a year left at the University of Rhodesia.  When Rob and Alan Zipper took the original band to South Africa, Benny invited Rick Barlow to join himself and Billy Toon who had been replaced in the Otis Waygood line-up by Ivor Rubenstein.  The band rehearsed in the Beit Hall, on campus, where, a year earlier, Rick Barlow and Martin Jackson (flute and vibes player with Otis Waygood) had created the varsity folk and blues club.  Rick Barlow was the regular MC and resident guitarist singing, in the main, Dylan and English folk-blues.  Guest artists like Tim Leach were regularly featured.

The band were fortunate in having high quality gear, including Gibson Les Paul guitars, a Fender bass, Marshall amps and Scarab speakers which, although locally made, were of an excellent standard.  

The band played covers of Free, early Led Zeppelin and Taste (Rory Gallagher).  Benny's lead playing won many admirers amongst their followers, Benny regarding the band as a platform to develop his skills on lead guitar.  The band even made an appearance on Rhodesia Television!

The band gigged regularly around and about Salisbury, including on the Varsity campus and at the rollerskating rink at the local showgrounds.

ROLLICKING (Added 09/05/06)

Circa:  1977

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

RHODESIANS (See DIAMONDS) (Added 17/09/05)

RUBBER STORM (Added 21/04/2013)

Under development.

RUSIKE BROTHERS (Revised 16/09/05)

Circa: 1980
Home town:  Salisbury
Members: