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
After approximately nine months in South Africa the band took up a season at Bobby Fraser’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”.
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.
See also the following website: www.davemonks.com
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.