My Genealogy - Marais / de Villiers / Rowe

 I was going to post my Genealogy in this blog but decided to create a new blog, if you want to follow the updates you can find it here > https://maraisdevilliersgenealogy.blogspot.com/ 

Sacha's singles Club

I just thought of another one, so I never learnt to drive until I was 21 or so but my friend C was driving from 16 and working.   She would always pick me up and take me out to clubs and places and that is how I got into clubbing.

It must have been around '82 that we went to a new club she had heard about in the Hyde Park Shopping center.  It was a very sophisticated nightclub and we really just went there to dance and to meet guys who would pay for our drinks.  Because it was on the northside of town it was also very Larney and Posh.

I don't remember why they had it in the shopping center, if anyone does please let me know!   But I do remember that they would always play the latest music, they had the greatest disco lights.  But the songs will always be with me, like "Can't take my eyes off you", Yazoo, Softcell, John Cougar, Chicago and just so many great songs.

They did eventually move out of Hyde Park Shopping Center, over to the Hyde Park Hotel and then later Sacha's became Blue Jeans and I think it all just went downhill from then on.  Probably around 1983.

I can't even find a photo on Google, could you imagine if we had mobile phones with cameras on in the 80's and 90's there would be so many memories we could share!

If my memory serves me correct, it did look a little like this:

Ciro's Supper Club - Downtown Johannesburg

Who remembers "Ciro's" Supper Club?  If I remember it was downtown Johannesburg in Claim street??? In all honesty I have never been there, however the ex used to frequent the place as they had strip shows at lunch time, and the apartments we lived in, in Randburg housed a few strippers as well.

I heard it was very tasteful, but then really how tasteful can strippers be?  The reason it came to mind was because someone posted a picture of Ciro's on Facebook and the name rung a bell.   From what I can gather it was a nightclub in the good old days, the time I remember it would have been round the early to Mid 80's, but it was around for a very long time before that.

Does anyone have any memories? photos?

I just tried to do a Google Maps walk down Claim street and everything looks so foreign to me, like the place has never been taken care of, the buildings look so derelict and the streets so dirty, it just feels like another world where I never lived, and yet I lived in Jo'burg for 37 years.



Both my mom and dad lived in Johannesburg before they got married, in separate places of course, and I know when they married, the stayed in Fortesque Road, just round the corner from Rocky street in Melville, Johannesburg.  They moved out of Johannesburg to the suburbs shortly after my mom was pregnant with my sister and then resided in Mondeor, which would have been 1957 / 1958.

I remember often on a Saturday my mom would take us to visit her friends that all still lived in apartments around town, some in residential hotels in Hilbrow.  I also remember my mom talking about going out to beautiful nightclubs, restaurants and theaters.  The Colleseum, His Majesties, wow how grand everything was back then. 

The James Hall Museum of Transport, Wemmer Pan, Johannesburg South

When we were growing up, I remember my mom always taking us to places of interest on the week-ends, if it wasn't the art gallery in Joubert Park, it was to the transport museum in Pioneer Park Wemmer Pan.

I used to love going and seeing all the old cars and buses it really was one of my favourite outings.

You can visit the website here, and you can even do a Virtual tour.

It's well worth a visit next time you venture to the South of Jo'burg!

Drive In Movies Johannesburg

In a much earlier post about Roadhouses, I did say I would write about Drive Ins' so here we are.  I can't remember when the last Drive In disappeared around Jo'burg, but I think it may have been around the late 90's, as I do remember going to the drive-inn with Derrick before we got married which would have been about '94, we went to see the "Aristocats".   I remember it was raining and by that time they had done away with the speakers that you would put inside your car to hear the movie.  Then you just tuned into a certain FM frequency and you would be able to hear the movie, however someone at work had broken the antenna off his car, and he spent the whole movie with his hand out

I remember many experiences from the Drive In, one with an ex-boyfriend who took me to Top Star, they always showed 2 movies and I told him I wanted to leave after the 1st Movie, well he refused to take me home or to my friends house after the movie, so I told him in that case I would walk!  And I did ... instead of walking down the road at the drive-Inn I just decided to climb down the mine dump.

the window holding the antenna to get a clear sound.

I got to Eloff street Ext. and my guardian angel must have been watching over me as a really nice bunch of people stopped and gave me a lift, hence to say that was like the last I saw of the boyfriend.

These are some of the Drive In's I remember from my youth:

Speedy's - South Hills
Panorama - Past Uncle Charlies
Top Star - Eloff street ext, Johannesburg
Veldskoen - Randburg
5 Star - I think this was out towards Honeydew
Hilfox - Between Roodepoort and Randburg

I am sure there are some I have forgotten, so please help me!

My Coronavirus Covid-19 Diary

I have been updating my status mostly everyday since we had to start working from home because of the Coronavirus, so I decided to copy those updates into my Blog that I have neglected for the past 5 years, you can find it here:  https://glorydaysindublin.blogspot.com/

The BIG birthday Concert

My Memory seems to fade me, but I do vaguely remember the Radio 5 birthday concert!  My BFF managed to get us VIP seats as her brother worked for Radio 5 at the time, I remember Mango Groove headlining the concert, or am I wrong, was that another concert?

Does anyone else remember the concert?

I remember when Radio 5 started was it the end of the 80's beginning of the 90's? No in fact it was 1975, those were the days we were torn between listening to Springbok Radio or Radio 5!

So I can only think the BIG concert bash that we attended would have been 1985 

I found my "Big Birthday Concert" program and it was held on the 14th of October 1989 at Ellis Park, the main acts were:

Mango Groove
Marcalex
Lucky Dube
Bayete
Brenda Fassie
Bright blue
Celtic Rumours
Chicco
Die gereformeerde blues band
pj powers
Phyco Reptile
Rebecca Malope
Ricardo
Sankomota
Sipho "hotstix" mabuse
The Spectres
Stimela
Wendy Oldfield
Zia

I had forgotten most of the groups and artists above, but then again it was 31 years ago!

It was probably one of my first multi-racial concerts in South Africa, and this was just the start - Music would play a huge role in bringing about the end of apartheid and the end of the National party rule! 

RABBITT - CHARLIE

Rabbitt

Do you remember the South African Rock group "Rabbitt" from the 1970's - You don't okay well then you are either not South African or too young.

When I was in high school, Rabbitt was the new up and coming South African Rock band, 4 boys (most famous bands always had 4 boys - The Beatles), the band consisted of Ronnie, Neil, Duncan and Trevor, very good looking boys that the girls all went gaga over.

• Trevor Rabin - Vocals, Lead Guitar and keyboards
• Duncan Faure - Vocals, guitar, keyboard
• Ronnie Robot (Ronald Friedman) bass guitar
• Neil Cloud - drums

Rabbitt had many hits and played many concerts at His Majesties in Johannesburg, I was never allowed to go, probably the fact the fact that my mom and dad thought I was too young!  I so wish I had been able to go.   Rabbitt mania was a thing and I remember seeing the photos in the Sunday Times the day after one of their concerts, girls crying, throwing their panties on the stage ... lol (still don't get that!)  Maybe I was just too much of a prude. 

I could not even afford to buy an album until I started working and they had broken up, my favorite Album cover was from "A croak and a grunt in the night", the picture of Trevor Rabin in the nude with just his guitar covering his privates :).  Trevor was my favorite, dark hair, dark eyes - I now have my own Trevor! 

They were so famous in South Africa and word has it that when they tried to break into the International market ( A White South African group during apartheid) it was never going to work!  So in 1978 when the band broke up, Duncan went off to join "The Bay city rollers" and Trevor Rabin joined the group "yes", they have both done very well for themselves, Duncan Faure is now living in Las Vegas and Trevor Rabin is somewhere in California, he has written many Movie themes.  And in fact I think he received an Oscar.  His life story is fascinating and you can read about him here : Trevor_Rabin 

Another of their best songs was "Charlie", a really romantic song that all the girls loved. 

A list of all their music can be found on the Wikipedia page https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbitt

Would love to know what happened to Neil and Ronnie, are they still in South Africa?

I found some photos taken at a Concert in Port Elizabeth and my dear friend Mercia who appears in 2 of these! 

Smugglers - Rabie Street, Randburg ... (Smuggies)

This is a blast from the past .... The late 80's "Smugglers Rest" - I had moved out of home and was living in Long Street in Ferndale, Smugglers was the place to find good music, lots of drink and a really enjoyable evening!

It was our hangout on a Friday night and any other night from about 1987 till the early 90's, I used to frequent the place with my friends.  The band who played always sang songs that everyone could join in, anything from the Beatles, Thin Lizzy (Whiskey in the Jar) and would always end the evening with "You'll never walk alone".

I met some really good friends there who I am still friends with today.  Mark, Deon, Caroline just to name a few, it was a great Jol, and even on a Saturday afternoon to sit in the beer garden. 

I remember at one point though, we decided to find other pubs outside of smugglers, Randburg always had good Jols - there was Buccaneers at the top of Republic Road, and a few places that for the life of me I cannot remember the names now.  So maybe one of you can help me - there was the bar / restaurant in Windsor East, the one near the Randburg shopping center where Ballyhoo played. - Remember "Man on the moon"?

I remember when I used to frequent smugglers, beer was R1 a bottle and a brandy and diet coke about R3.50, the barman was so nice, but they worked their butts off especially on a Friday night.

Would love to hear your memories of Smugglers!   

George Benson - Sun City 1982

Our radio station today was doing a Music Festival at home, what you could do is find an old concert ticket, take a picture and send it in to the Radio station and then ask them to play a song, so it got me to thinking what was my first concert that I ever went to.

Now my mom did take us to see Cliff Richard twice when he played at the City Hall in Johannesburg, once on his own and then once with the Shadows, which would have been back in the 70's.   My dream as a kid was to go to an Elvis concert, but alas he passed away before I left school.

So my first concert that I went to on my own or with friends, was "Georgie Benson", I remember meeting my friends in town and taking the bus up to Sun City to see the concert.   What a brilliant show, I still have the program from the concert.   

After the concert we went to "Raffles" night club and lone behold there was George himself booging the night away.   We got chatting to him and he autographed my program for me.  Wow what a concert and it was my first trip to Sun City as well. 

Sun city was the first Major Casino built in the homeland of Bophuthatswana because in South Africa it was illegal to Gamble, it was built by millionaire Sol Kerzner who recently passed away.  It was like the "Vegas" of South Africa. 



I will dig out my program and post a copy of his autograph as soon as I have a moment.

A Reunion ... or not!

A friend and I were talking about a High School reunion next year, which will mark 40 years since we finished school, it all sounds really awesome and we start a Whatsapp group where people can invite their friends they are all in contact with etc. etc.

Until the reality strikes, half the people in the Whatsapp group never liked me!  I was not the popular one at school, and then worst of all the School Bully is added to the group and starts throwing their weight around, kicking people out of the group and just taking over.  

After a bit of deliberation, I decided than and there to leave the group!

Why?  Do I really want to meet up with people I haven't spoken to in over 40 years, if ever?  Do I want to meet up with people who are only interested in, what you look like, what car do you drive, what do you do? How much money do you have!  NO!!!  I am better than that.   

I want to meet up with people I had something in common with, people who liked me and I liked them and those who are in contact with me!  So No thanks after all the planning and talking about it, I won't be doing a reunion thank you!    I seriously am happy with my own life, my own friends and the people who care about me. 

I am happy for you whatever path you chose in life!  Take Care and enjoy your life :)

Bury my bones in Jo'burg

A friend told me about this song by "Naming James", wow it really stirs up some memories - These are the words to the song

All lyrics copyright Naming James

Bury My Bones in Jo'Burg

From Houghton to Hilbrow, The Doors and The Doll House, Cloud9, The Sunnyside,

singing carols by candlelight, Bimbo's and Tempos, 206 and Tokyo

At the Waterfront and the Carlton to the Rosebank Rooftop Market, Rockey Street to Roxy's

Ellis Park to ESP, Heinrich's and the Skyrink and the cars at the Top Star drive-in

I hear Bassline and the Radium, bikers at the Bohemian, around Kyalami race-track

Cats Pajamas and Carfax, Melville and Yeoville, Kippies, Wits and Northcliff Hill

Zoo Lake, Truth and Bruma, the lights of Louis Botha, Fontana's and Jamesons

Morgan's Cat and the White Horse Inn, the Cool Runnings Dungeo, Castle Corner at the Wanderers

CH

The Sun will always Shine on this city of gold

So bury my bones in Jo'burg, let it forever be my home

Traffic, taxi's, Ponty, past Oxford street's prossies, City Deep, Main Reef and Westpark Cemetery

Sterkfontein and the JCE, the big top tent at the Boswell Wilkie

Gold Reef City and The Carousel, drinks at the Jolly til they ring the bell, Bulldogs and Bowl's Club

Billy the Bums and the Thunder Gun, cruising through Gilooly's to the crying sirens of the SAP

Emmerentia Dam and Wemmer Pan, chick pies from Riversands, the bridge we built for Madiba

Delta Park and the Market Theatre, the holding cells in Sun City, Lion Lager at the SAB

Leeuwkop and Liliesleaf, deep underneath the SABC, the M1 and the Jukskei

Bryanston to Braamfontein, the heartbeat that holds me, these old streets of Jozi

CH

The Sun will always Shine on this city of gold

So bury my bones in Jo'burg, let it forever be my home

The Forever 27 Club

The “Forever” 27 Club

I’ll never forget the day in 2011 when I said to my husband that Amy Winehouse is going to be another member of the 27 Club and mark my words on the 23^rd of July that year she passed away!

I often wonder what is so significant of that Age, I know that my best friend Morag passed away in 1991 just before her 27^th birthday, and I was being rescued from the Oceanos in the same year at the age of 1991, but luckily for me I am still here.

Rolling Stone Magazine says: “The 27 Club has become one of the most elusive and remarkably tragic coincidences in rock & roll history. The term became widely known after Kurt Cobain’s death in 1994, with rock fans connecting his age to that of Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, Brian Jones and Jimi Hendrix – though it was notable to fans in the early 1970s when those four visionaries died within just two years of each other. When Amy Winehouse passed away at age 27 in 2011, it attracted even more attention to the significance of the age. While the club has been largely connected to musicians, it has expanded since, as many young actors and artists have lost their lives due to everything from addiction to suicide to freak accidents.”

Famous Rock Musicians Who Died at the Age of 27

·       Kurt Cobain

·       Amy Winehouse

·       Jimi Hendrix

·       Janis Joplin

·       Jim Morrison

·       Robert Johnson

·       Brian Jones (The Rolling Stones)

·       Ron "Pigpen" McKernan (The Grateful Dead)

·       Chris Bell (Big Star)

·       D. Boon (The Minutemen)

·       Richey Edwards (Manic Street Preachers)

Wouldn’t it be awesome to know that they have formed their own band in Heaven called the “Forever 27 club” and they’re making music just like they did before 😊