ALBUMS:
ARTIST
Album title
highest known position and date attained
John EDMOND
Goodbye Is The Saddest Song
No 18, 01 MAY 76
Troopiesongs
No 1, 23 OCT 76 (9 weeks spent at No 1)
Troopiesongs Phase II
No 1, 04 JUN 77 (7 weeks spent at No 1)
Rhodesia the brave and the beautiful
No 2, 07 APR 79
Troopiesongs Phase IV
No 4, 17 NOV 79
John returned to the Zimbabwe charts in 2001 with his
album ZIMSONGS, spending many weeks at No 1.
Johnny HASWELL
This is … Johnny Haswell
No 8, 03 JUL 76
— Johnny appeared to copy the act of Wrex Tarr and
apparently had a TV show in Bulawayo in 1976. I
presume he was from Rhodesia
Nick TAYLOR
Songs of Rhodesia
No 7, 15 SEP 73
— Nick was from RSA but this album featured songs of
Rhodesia.
Clem THOLET
Songs of love and war
No 1, 06 JAN 79 (3 weeks spent at No 1)
Two sides to every story
No 19, 19 JAN 80
Compilation cover version albums of songs with the
recordings originating from the RSA “Springbok Hits”
album series:
Lyons maid hits of the week
– 2 albums charted from January 1975 through January
1976, Vol. 2 was the most successful reaching No 2
Pick of the pops
– 13 albums charted from June 1977 to Dec 1979 with
three of them reaching No 1
Rhodesia hits of the week
– 11 of these compilation albums charted from Vol 1 in
October 1974 to Vol 16 in June 1977. The most
successful was Vol 15 which reached No 2 in April
1977.
— the various albums from this series were
tailor-made for the Rhodesian market although they
featured international hits and not local artists.
Here is a list of the most popular 7″ single records
in Rhodesia (by all artists, not just local ones)
during the period 1965 to 1980, based on the length of
time they spent on the retail record sales chart Lyons
Maid Hits Of The Week (Radio 1 chart). Their positions
were determined by allocating points to each record
for each position held each week on each chart which
was published/broadcast during the period. Records
charted after 1980 have been excluded from this list.
Position / Record / Artist
Entry date / highest position and number of weeks
spent at highest position
1. Let your love flow – Bellamy Brothers
29 may 76, No 1 for 17 weeks
2. You’re the one that I want – John Travolta/
Olivia Newton-John
29 jul 78, No 1 for 14 weeks
3. Tie a yellow ribbon round the ole oak tree
– Dawn featuring Tony Orlando
02 jun 73, No 1 for 9 weeks
4. Rivers of Babylon – Boney M.
24 jun 78, No 1 for 10 weeks
5. Please don’t go – KC & The Sunshine Band
05 apr 80, No 1 for 5 weeks
6. Beautiful sunday – Daniel Boone
06 may 72, No 1 for 8 weeks
7. When I need you – Leo Sayer
18 jun 77, No 1 for 11 weeks
8. The chosen few – The Dooleys
19 apr 80, No 2 for 1 week
9. Angelo – Brotherhood of man
01 jan 78, No 1 for 10 weeks
10.Hello! Hello! I’m back again – Gary Glitter
28 jul 73, No 1 for 9 weeks
11.If I said you have a beautiful body would you
hold it against me? – Bellamy Brothers
15 dec 79, No 1 for 10 weeks
12.Mama Tembu’s wedding – Margaret Singana/Ipi ‘N
Tombia musical cast – 12 apr 75, No 1 for 10 weeks
13.The last farewell – Roger Whittaker
21 feb 76, No 1 for 11 weeks
14.Substitute – Clout
25 mar 78, No 1 for 2 weeks (group from RSA)
15.Gypsey Girl – David Scobie
11 oct 80, No 1 for 9 weeks
16.Magic fly – Space
05 nov 77, No 1 for 6 weeks
17.Don’t go breaking my heart – Elton John/Kiki Dee
02 oct 76, No 1 for 10 weeks
18.Mother and child reunion – Paul Simon
01 apr 72, No 1 for 7 weeks
19.I’d love you to want me – Lobo
10 feb 73, No 1 for 6 weeks
20.It’s a long way to Mukumbura –
Mike Westcott & Leprechaun
24 dec 77, No 2 for 7 weeks
Here is the 2nd instalment of hit singles from
Rhodesia by local or connected artists:
Ray GARNETT
I Can’t Stop Loving You (TEAL. TS 1)
25 AUG 62, No. 1, 7 wks
Alan GARRITY
Put your hand in the hand (GALLO. PD 9742)
22 MAY 71, No. 1, 14 wks (5 wks at No 1)
I need someone (GALLO. PD 9802)
03 JUN 72, No. 13, 13 wks
Home isn’t home anymore (GALLO. PD 9862)
06 JAN 73, No. 2, 17 wks
I’ll have to dream (alone at night) (GALLO. PD 9902)
14 JUL 73, No. 17, 5 wks
Welcome home (GALLO. PD 9950)
16 FEB 74, No. 7, 13 wks
The GREENSTONES
Salome, Jennifer and me (CBS. SSC 1338)
09 NOV 74, No. 9, 10 wks
— written by John Edmond. The lyrics featuring the
names of cities and towns in Rhodesia
GUTTER
Slippin’ away slowly (CBS. SSC 5301)
24 APR 82, No. 13, 3 wks
— group from RSA but possibly based in Zimbabwe at
the time
HEAVYWEIGHT
Muhammad Ali (float like a butterfly, sting like a
bee)
(GALLO. PD 1062) 08 FEB 75, No. 11, 7 wks
— cover version of the international hit by Johnny
Wakelin.
HOLLY BLACK
Day by day (GALLO. PD 9884)
28 APR 73, No. 4, 11 wks
Funky music (GALLO. PD 1035)
08 FEB 75, No. 4, 12 wks
— the record labels spell the name as HOLLY, not HOLY
The INDIGOS
The camel (RADIO. RAD 1000)
16 NOV 63, No. 7, 2 wks
— I have no chart lists after 23 NOV 63 when it was
No 7 until beginning 1965. If anyone has the missing
lists pse let me know
IAN & RITCHIE
Look across the river (RENOWN. N 1414)
— duo from RSA. Did not reach Top 10 in 1967 but
possibly between positions 11 to 20 (if anyone has
those lists pse contact me)
— the song speaks of the folks across the Limpopo
river in Rhodesia!
LINCOLN
Long days and lonely nights (MAP. MP 501)
24 JUL 71, No. 11, 11 wks
Everlasting faith (MAP. MP 512)
25 NOV 72, No. 8, 7 wks
Ted & Beverley LYNN
The green and white (BUTTERFLY. BT 209)
18 MAY 74, No. 19, 1 wk
— written by John Edmond. The lyrics speak of the
colours of the Rhodesian flag
ME AND THEM
Two little boys (PANORAMA. PS 1010)
14 FEB 70, No. 8, 5 wks
— cover version of the international hit by Rolf
Harris, a version of a song dating from 1903!
— Rolf Harris’ version was a No 5 hit in Rhodesia
Bruce MILLAR
I won’t give up (MD. JIME 11048)
29 MAY 76, No. 10, 13 wks
— a cover version of a song originally a hit in Italy
by Mia Martini entitled “Inno”. Not sure how it got to
RSA or who translated it into english. Released in
Rhodesia on the MD label which was a sanctions-busting
label created to enable EMI label recordings to be
released as they could not be issued on EMI in
Rhodesia due to sanctions
Neville NASH
Harmony (HARMONY. TLS 112)
24 SEP 77, No. 16, 3 wks
— part of a TV campaign to focus on the need for
racial harmony in Rhodesia!
This artist originated from RSA
Johnny NEAL & THE JASON HAMMER BIG BAND
Dont say goodbye to Rhodesia (TEAL. TLS 103)
28 AUG 76, No. 20, 1 wk
Johnny NEAL
Now (TEAL. TLS 104)
29 JAN 77, No. 10, 8 wks
Ashley PARKER
Mashed potato man (SHED. SHED 111)
04 JUL 81, No. 9, 6 wks
— Ashley may have originated from RSA but was
seemingly based in Zimbabwe at the time of this hit.
QUINSEY
All the time (CONTINENTAL. PD 9291)
02 MAR 68, No. 8, 3 wks
RICKY & IRENE
Zimbabwe in the sun (GALLO. PD 1002)
19 sep 81, No. 16, 4 wks
ROZALLA
— born in Zambia but based in Zimbabwe when her first
hits came in 1986. Moved to UK and became first Zim
artist to chart in the USA with EVERYBODY’S FREE (TO
FEEL GOOD in 1992. It was also a hit all over Europe
and worldwide. She also had hits in some countries
with FAITH (IN THE POWER OF LOVE) and ARE YOU READY TO
FLY?)
S.A.B.U. (SOUL AND BLUES UNION)
What’s the fuss? (ATLANTIC. ATS 802)
15 may 76, No. 12, 6 wks
— member Alton Edwards had a solo hit (see earlier)
David SCOBIE
Gypsey girl (SHED. SHED 102)
04 OCT 80, No.1, 25 wks (9 wks at No 1)
Taking The Easy Way Home (SHED. SHED 108)
06 JUN 81, No. 5, 14 wks
–His 2nd hit benefited from a cover version in
Afrikaans in RSA by Steve Hofmeyer entitled something
like “Dis hoe ‘t is in die wereld”, used as a TV show
theme music on the channel “Kyk-Net” in RSA 2001
-Gypsey girl peaked at No 5 in RSA spending 19 weeks
charted there
SILKWOOD
All night (KJR PRODUCTIONS. SW 02)
21 MAY 88, No. 14, 1 wk
Joe STANTON
Lend me a dollar (the call) (TALENTCOR. TC 105)
06 MAY 72, No. 16, 3 wks
– not sure if he came from Rhodesia or RSA
STETSON & LEE
I’ll say goodnight (SHED. SHED 123)
31 JUL 82, No. 20, 1 wk
Dyllis STEVENSON & THE CYCLONES
Dark moon (CBS. SSC 326)
09 JUN 62, No. 3, 5 wks
TABRON TRIO
Coloured rain (RCA VICTOR) (catalogue number unknown)
22 MAR 69, No. 19, 2 wks
Wrex TARR
The terrorist’s lament (TRANSATLANTIC. TRS 7)
12 OCT 68, No. 4, 9 wks
Futi chilapalapa (LP) (TRANSATLANTIC. TRL 003)
23 NOV 68, No 12, 8 wks
The poacher’s lament (TRANSATLANTIC. TRS 11)
19 APR 69, No. 6, 7 wks
(uses the tune of “Waltzing Mathilda”)
You are now in Chilapalapa country (LP)
(TRANSATLANTIC. TRL 4001)
13 DEC 69, No. 10, 4 wks
— LPs were featured in the singles chart up to 1972
when no separate LP chart existed
Nick TAYLOR
U.D.I. song (RCA VICTOR. 41. 890)
27 AUG 66, No. 1, 10 wks (4 wks at No 1)
Matabele guitar (NITTY GRITTY. NG 116)
12 MAY 73, No. 17, 9 wks
— from RSA. Both songs about Rhodesia, written by
John Edmond.
Clem THOLET
Rhodesians never die (BLACKBERRY. IP 500)
22 DEC 73, No. 18, 8 wks
15 MAY 76, No. 16, 4 wks
Rhodesians never die [new recording] (GALLO. IP 500)
28 OCT 78, No. 3, 18 wks
The last farewell (TEAL. TLS 125)
20 JAN 79, No. 11, 9 wks
Zambesi Zimbabwe (TEAL. TLS 127)
23 FEB 80, No. 17, 2 wks
VOID
My Sharona (TEAL. TLS 128)
12 JAN 80, No. 3, 12 wks
— cover version of international hit by THE KNACK.
The group later changed its name to ÉVOID and became
big in RSA in 1983
Otis WAYGOOD
Fever (COLUMBIA. DSA 3029)
18 APR 70, No. 14, 4 wks
— the label shows the group’s name as OTIS WAYGOOD,
not mentioning “…Blues Band”
Jody WAYNE
The wedding (RCA VICTOR. 42. 179)
11 JUL 70, No 1, 12 wks (3 wks at No 1)
A time for us (Love theme from “Romeo & Juliet”)
(RCA VICTOR. 42. 192) 05 DEC 70, No 3, 9 wks
Little things mean a lot (RCA VICTOR. 42. 229)
12 JUN 71, No 13, 3 wks
The wonder of your love (PLUM. PLS 521)
19 JAN 74, No 10, 9 wks
Morning side of the mountain (PLUM. PLS 542)
[“Jody Wayne & Lara Lynn”]
11 OCT 75, No 12, 8 wks
Deck of cards (PLUM. PLS 567)
17 MAR 79, No 8, 11 wks
Mike WESTCOTT & LEPRECHAUN
I’m just a shumba drinker (TEAL. TLS 110)
11 JUN 77, No. 3, 19 wks
— inspired by “We are the cider drinkers” by The
Wurzels from the UK, in turn based on the melody for
the 1975 hit PALOMA BLANCA by George Baker Selection
It’s a long way to Mukumbura (TEAL. TLS 119(
17 DEC 77, No. 2, 21 wks
— based on the tune “It’s a long way to Tipperary”.
Alain D. WOOLF
When love has passed you by (COLUMBIA. DSA 807)
10 AUUG 68, No 11, 4 wks
Vuli YENI
Little girl (SHED. SHED 106)
20 DEC 80, No. 17, 4 wks
I think I may have omitted from the ALBUMS chart list
the entries by Clem THOLET which were:
Songs of love and war
06 JAN 79, No 1 (3 wks at No 1)
Two sides to every story
19 JAN 80, No 19.
Heritage
No memory lane (SHED. SHED 130)
18 FEB 84, No. 10, 5 wks
Peter MAXWELL
Memories (SHED. SHED 100)
17 MAR 79, No. 12, 7 wks
— Peter was a British comedian who made frequent
trips to Rhodesia to perform shows. Evidently whilst
here he recorded this, based on the tune to FIRST OF
MAY by Bee Gees but with Rhodesia-related lyrics,
reflecting on memories of his visits here. Evidently
the first single to be released on the local SHED
label.
Here are the Rhodesian and Rhodesia-connected artists
who featured on the 7″ singles chart of Lyons Maid
Hits of the week during the period 1962 to 1980 and a
few artists after that date who were english-singing.
Fuller details of each artist’s records charted will
follow. If you do not receive fuller details for any
of the artists listed on this list from me in due
course please let me know:
Aerophone
Bud Cockcroft
the Diamonds
John Edmond
Alton Edwards
Major the Rev. John Fall
Flagship Band
Bobby Fraser
Ray Garnett
Alan Garrity
The Greenstones
Gutter
Heavyweight
Holly Black
the Indigos
Ian & Ritchie
Lincoln
Ted & Beverley Lynn
Me and Them
Bruce Millar
Johnny Neal
Neville Nash
Ashley Parker
Quinsey
Ricky & Irene
Rozalla
S.A.B.U.
David Scobie
Silkwood
Joe Stanton
Stetson & Lee
Dyllis Stevenson & The Cyclones
Tabron Trio
Wrex Tarr
Nick Taylor
Clem Tholet
Void
Otis Waygood
Mike Westcott & Leprechaun
Alain D. Woolf
Vuli Yeni
Here are some of the Lyons Maid Hits chart details for
you for the artists whose names I e-mailed to you
previously. Artist, record (label & catalogue number),
entry date, highest position and number of weeks spent
on the chart are given. The broadcast chart was a Top
8 from December 1962 when the chart commenced until
September 1966 when it became a Top 10. From 1969 I
have complete Top 20 lists. Am missing complete Top 20
before 1969, anyone with those lists please contact
me!
AEROPHONE
Sweet sweet Suzie (RPM. RPM 357)
08 APR 72, No. 8, 10 wks
— I am not sure if this artist was from Rhodesia or
RSA. There is no reference to them in the RSA
contemporary pop music book and this did not chart in
RSA on the Springbok chart (see Rock Digest website on
charts for info on RSA acts charted in Rhodesia, info
I supplied to them previously)
Bud COCKCROFT & FRIENDS
Run rhino run (SAVE. BUD 001)
19 MAR 88, No. 3, 14 wks
COUNTDOWN
You are the poet (not the millionaire)
(CBS. SSC(Z) 5302) 18 DEC 82, No. 14, 2 wks
The DIAMONDS
Space race (CBS. SSC 392)
06 APR 63, played as a “Future Hit” on the Lyons Maid
chart but failed to reach the Top 8 in subsequent
lists
John EDMOND
Farewell Britannia (STORM. PD 9604)
22 NOV 69, No. 17, 3 wks
Pasadena (MAP. MP 508)
03 JUN 72, No. 2, 17 wks
Every day, every night (MAP. MP 511)
07 OCT 72, No. 17, 2 wks
Toy train (MAP. MP 514)
02 JUN 73, No. 14, 4 wks
Jock of the bushveld (MAP. MPS 5)
24 JAN 76, No. 16, 4 wks
Wish I was a blue job (MAP. MPS 11)
18 SEP 76, No. 6, 14 wks
The whistlin’ troopie (MAP. MPS 15 – A side)
07 MAY 77, No. 12, 7 wks
Back in the sticks (MAP. MPS 15 – B side)
04 JUN 77, No. 20, 1 wk
Sweet banana (JO’BURG. TJS 81)
15 JUL 78, No. 11, 7 wks
Alton EDWARDS
Shining light (CBS. SSC 3004)
09 APR 83, No. 13, 7 wks
— Alton was the first artist from Zimbabwe to chart
in the UK, in 1982, with his single I JUST WANNA
(SPEND SOME TIME WITH YOU). He was originally a member
of S.A.B.U. before he went over to the UK
Major The Rev. John FALL
Wisdom of years (GALLO. PD 1273)
28 AUG 76, No. 16, 8 wks
— released in a picture sleeve in Rhodesia. This was
not a song, but a spoken word single, possibly about
the political situation in Rhodesia at the time.
FLAGSHIP BAND
Play that funky music (TEAL. TLS 111)
06 AUG 77, No. 18, 1 wk
— a cover version of the international hit which was
by WILD CHERRY. I presume they were a Rhodesian band.
Bobby FRASER
Eldorado (POLYDOR. PS 362)
09 NOV 74, No. 19, 2 wks
— he was apparently a restaurant owner in Bulawayo
who recorded this. The song was originally a hit in
the German language in Germany but John Edmond penned
English lyrics to it.
LYONS MAID HITS OF THE WEEK CHARTS
