(Anton
Goosen)
Afrikaans music legend, Anton Goosen, is
one of stellar line-up of local talent taking to the stage for the RSG Concert
at the Royal Show in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday, June4. Also on the bill are
Lee Vaughn, Wynand and Cheree Strydom and Robbie Wessels.
Goosen has come a long way since he
travelled from Heidelberg, where he studied, to do a 15-minute set in
East-London at a local concert.
From performing covers like Johnny B. Goode (Chuck Berry), the
Rolling Stones’ I Can’t Get No
(Satisfaction) and She Loves You by
The Beatles, he did a stint teaching and then worked as a writer and reviewer
for Beeld.
Among his interviewees was a young Sonja
Herholdt, who would later perform Goosen’s first ever song, Jantjie. It was the start of a
partnership that lasted for nearly four years and saw Goosen writing all the
songs for Heroldt’s albums, including hits like Waterblommetjies, Harlekyn, Hanoverstraat, and Trein na Matjiesfontein.
He also wrote songs for Carike Keuzenkamp
and Laurika Rauch and had Richard Clayderman and Francis Goya make recordings
of Waterblommetjies. In 1979, Anton
writes the theme music for the film Pretoria
o Pretoria. The theme song in the film is the original version of Kruidjie-Roer-my-nie, and is banned
within four days of release.
Goosen’s first album, Boy Van Die Suburbs, sold 80,000 units and was the first album
released by a singer who wrote all his work in Afrikaans. Known as the father
of Afrikaans rock, he used his songs to protest against forced removals and to
highlight the Soweto riots.
He produced Elke Boemelaar Se Droom for Koos Kombuis; saw his song Winde van Verandering banned by the SABC
just before the momentous changes in 1990; helped set up the Houtstok Afrikaans
music festival; and worked with the likes of Lucky Dube, Gito Baloi of Tananas
and Isaac Mstali of Stimela.
He has been recognised with a lifetime
achievement award at the South African Music Awards in 2009, an ATKV award for
his contribution as a songwriter in 2010, and a lifetime achievement award at
the Innibos Arts Festival in 2013. His song Viva
Madiba has been recorded in eight indigenous languages by amongst others
Gloria Bosman, Rebecca Malope, Dozi and Charlize Bergh.
Goosen, who has been touring the country
introducing a new generation of fans to his music, is currently writing and
recording a new album Padkos.
Durban-born Lee comes from a musical family
and, as a teenager, sang with the Durban Men's Choir in Germany. Known for his
East Coast Radio classic, Stuck on You,
he will launch his new album Lee Vaughn
Duets at the concert in the main arena of the Royal Showgrounds.
Lee
Vaughn Duets took three years to finish and
features songs with Sally Vaughn, Pierre De Chamoy, Matt Hurter, Cindy Alter
(of Clout fame) , Stewart Irving (Ballyhoo), and Rowan Stuart. He will be
sharing the stage with country duo, Wynand & Chereé, described by their
fans as South Africa's very own Johnny and June!
Since meeting at a show in 2006, Wynand and
Chereé Strydom have been a couple – on and off the stage. Their latest album, So We Remember is the second in a series
which kicked off with So Remember Us ...
The Highwaymen, which included 16 tracks by Johnny Cash, Kriskristofferson,
Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings.
Completing the line-up is Robbie Wessels,
who had a massive hit with the Als Wat Ek
Het (2014), which spawned the hits Hou
Vas Jou Matras, Waar Lê Jy Vanaand?, Leeuloop, Die Coach se Speech, Asetileen
en Suurstof, All Blacks teen die All Blacks and many more.
Born in the Free State, he earned his
diploma in drama at Tshwane University of Technology. In addition to singing,
he has performed on television, playing Poena in Gauteng-alêng-alêng, has appeared on stage and wrote the film, 100 Meter Leeuloop, with his brother,
Hamilton. He is currently appearing in the soapie, Binnelanders.
The Royal Show runs until June 4. Tickets
R65 (R40 for children under 12 and pensioners).
On May 31 all tickets will cost R40 and on
Super Friday (June 2) entry is R50 for everyone. Halls will be open until 20h3h0
and for R150 show-goers can enjoy unlimited access to the fairground rides
between 17h00 and 19h00.
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