DEATH OF BERRY TAYLOR

Long-standing member of Colin Penn’s band dies in Durban at the age of 77.

Berry Taylor, long-standing member of Colin Penn’s band, has died in Durban. Colin Penn pays tribute to his friend and colleague.

“Berry was my bass player of over 40 years. He was undoubtedly the ‘Tiger Woods of bass players’. In a career spanning 60 years, he played with some of the best known artists in South Africa: Johnny Fourie, George Hayden, Nico Carstens, Lance James, Virginia Lee and Eve Boswell as well as backing the who’s who of overseas cabaret. Alma Cogan, Petula Clark, to name a few.

“There were few nightspots that Berry had not played in. Berry joined my band in 1965 and turned a popular trio into a polished, professional unit that was never out of work. In 1968/9 we ran The Napoleon Restaurant in Aliwal Street together. Married to Louanne for 38 years, Berry had four daughters and eight grandchildren. His great passion was deepsea fishing. He owned two ski boats and was an extraordinarily lucky fisherman. Berry, whose real name was Berrange, died in September at the age of 77."