(Eddie Eckstein, Derek Gordon, Pete Clifford
& Paul Ditchfield)
South Africa can
boast many achievements over the last few years, and one has to be the return
of a band that, exactly 50 years after its inception, is back on the road and
still pulling in the crowds.
The Bats are well
and truly back with their 50th Anniversary show, That Old Bat Magic and can be seen at the Hexagon Theatre in
Pietermaritzburg on April 10 and 11.
It all started in
1965 when The Bats - Eddie Eckstein, Paul Ditchfield, the late Jimmy Dunning
and the late Barry Jarman - burst onto the local scene and became, to many
ardent followers, South Africa’s answer to the Beatles. They toured
extensively, both locally and internationally, wowing audiences here and in the
United Kingdom, Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia) and Germany with their brilliant music
and hilarious comedy show. More than just great musicians, they were also great
entertainers, and it was this that kept them at the top of their game for 16
years, an amazing achievement for any band.
In 2000, Eddie,
Paul & Pete Clifford, minus the late Barry who had decided to retire, were
joined by Derek Gordon and got back on the road for what they thought would be
a short ‘come back’. Little did they know that 15 years later they would still
be on the road, delighting audiences young and old. They have included the old
favourite songs they have performed over the years.
Being one of South
Africa’s longest running products, with unlimited mileage, The Bats are back to
pay tribute to South Africa, its music, their music and the entertainment it’s
given them through the years.
Eddie Eckstein
says: ”People often ask ‘When will you pack it in?’ As long as the fans
continue to support us laughing, applauding and singing along and enjoying the
moment we will continue ... and as long as we keep enjoying it ourselves.”
Catch That Old Bat Magic at the Hexagon Theatre on the UKZN Pietermaritzburg
campus on April 10 at 19h30 and April 11 at 18h00. Tickets R100 booked through Computicket. For more information, contact 033 260
5537.