FROM ROCK 'N 'ROLL TO HARD CORE PUNK - UKZN ...

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CHAPTER 2
AN HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION TO ROCK MUSIC IN DURBAN
1963-1985.
Introduction
It is generally agreed that Durban was the birthplace of rock'
n'roll in South Africa 1. South Africa's earliest known exponent
of rock'n'roll was Durban-born Dickie Loader, whose band, The
Blue Jeans, was first formed in 1957. Dickie Loader, described
as 'South Africa's original rocker,2, was born in 1945; he has
had an illustrious musical career which began with The Blue Jeans
and which still continues in the country music field.
The Blue Jeans was the first significant rock'n'roll band in
South Africa, and their repertoire consisted mainly of 'covers'
of hit parade songs of the time, as well as originals mostly
composed by Dickie Loader himself. The Blue Jeans' original line­
up consisted of Dickie Loader (guitar and vocals), Ian Wells
(piano), Ray Boonzaier (bass guitar), Des Ray (saxophone) and
Noel Glover on drums. The band was popular both· locally and
nationally, and between 1962 and 1968, recorded nineteen singles
and ten albums. Most exceptional was the fact that all the band
members were still of school-going age when the band was formed.
The Blue Jeans' style was typical 'fifties rock'n'roll, and their
realistic imitations of hit parade material earned them a
favoured place at the school dances and parties of the time.
(Refer to cassette, Ex. 1)
1 South Africa's first rock'n'roll band, The Blue Jeans, was a Durban
band, as is acknowledged by Chilvers and Jasiukowicz in their recent reference
book entitled History of Contemporary Music of South Africa (Braamfontein'
Toga Publishing), p. 74, 1994. .
2 G. Chilvers and T. Jasiukowicz, History of Contemporary Music of South
Africa, p. 74.