Popular Durban entertainer Richard Hose aka Ricky MacGregor, died in Scotland on October 24, 2020, after a brief fight with cancer. When he was informed that he had only a few months to live, he left South Africa to be with his family in Scotland.
Long-time friend and fellow musician Bernie Davenport honours him with this obituary:
Richard Hose AKA Ricky MacGregor – you will be long remembered and greatly missed.
Richard contributed so much to the lives he touched and filled his own life with joy in all he did. He came out to South Africa from Scotland in the early 1970s, working for the Bellambie Mining Company, eventually taking early retirement from his engineering career.
He used to say to me “Son, life is too short to spend working. Pack it in and enjoy it all you can.”
“Packing it in”. Richard enjoyed his life playing tennis and golf. I met him during his days in the NAPAC Adhoc Chorus and Durban Symphonic Choir, both adding vocal skills to an already well-achieved voice. (I remember the vocal lubrication we needed after rehearsal!)
Richard had a “cheeky” Scots sense of humour which was very sharp but never condescending. It was this character which made him an entertainer. Part of “packing it in” gave him a chance to look more into the entertainment world.
The most memorable times I spent with Richard were performing at Company of Theatre Arts; Westville Theatre Club, and Kloof Arts and Drama Society (KADS), connecting with such well-known names as Jean Beauchamp, Paddy Bell and Mike Dunleavy.
The stage work, comedy skits and vocals we did in shows like The London Calling series produced mostly by Barry Meehan and A Twist of Lennon produced by Themi Venturas bring back such wonderful memories. The antics we got up to during rehearsals and backstage during shows are priceless. They will never be forgotten.
Ricky MacGregor carved out a name for himself on the local entertainment scene – first of all Ricky and his guitar would entertain doing gigs all over town. He put together and performed in shows at places like The Rhumbelow Theatre with other local entertainers like Belinda Dolphin and was involved with our own group, the Deez ‘n Beez with his very good mate Dave Burch and myself.
This not being enough, our Ricky was famous for his quiz nights regularly held at pub venues around town.
What a sad loss to our Durban entertainment world. Maybe he’s collaborating in heaven with Jerry O’Connor, Colin Penn, and Themi Venturas to name but a few. Safe in the arms of God. Richard, we will miss you. – Bernie Davenport
Posts
