Friends, musicians mourn death of Steve Fataar

LEGENDARY Durban musician Steve Fataar (76) died in the early hours of Saturday morning, just hours after performing at Zack’s in Morningside.

Fataar rose to fame together with his brothers, Ricky and Edries, as The Flames in the 1960s.

According to his biography (www.allmusic.com), The Flames were “discovered” by Carl Wilson of The Beach Boys while performing in a London club in 1969. One of the first bands signed to the Beach Boys’ label, Brother Records, The Flames recorded their first internationally-released album, The Flame, the following year. One of the group’s hits was For Your Precious Love.

The Flames disbanded shortly afterwards, and maintained a low profile until 1978 when Fataar resurfaced with a new band, Further, with younger brother Issy on guitar. Unfortunately, this group soon disbanded. Fataar had since been a familiar face on Durban’s music scene.

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According to reports, Fataar died in his sleep from lung complications.

In 2014, Fataar fell ill and spent time in hospital. Later that year, a benefit concert was held to raise funds for Fataar’s medical expenses.

Speaking about his death, musician, Smelly Fellows, said it was a great loss.

“Steve was wonderful person. I was – and still am – a fan of The Flames. I met Steve soon after I arrived in Durban in 1986 and had the pleasure and privilege of jamming with him. He was a gentle and humble person, and was always willing to help everyone. He will be missed.”

Fiona Tozer said she had known Steve since she settled in Durban in the eighties.

“He was always a kind and gentle person, an absolute gentleman with an ever-positive outlook. He dedicated his life to making music and supporting his fellow musicians. Durban won’t be the same without him and we will all miss him,” she said.

Dan Chiorboli, director of Awesome Africa Concert Ventures and global ambassador of Project Rhino, said he had known Steve virtually his entire life.

“One of the funniest moments was at the Awesome Africa Festival at The Playhouse when we decided to bring on a cake for Steve before his performance to honour his 70th birthday. We placed a big spliff on top of the cake and really had to sweet talk security into bringing it on stage for him. Even Steve was stunned, and it took a lot to stun him, but he went on to take advantage of the situation by taking a big toke from it – and he received a standing ovation even before he had played a note! Steve was one of the most humble and nicest guys in the business and I cherish my friendship with him,” he said.

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Dicky Roberts from Monkeyshine Music said he met Steve at the tender age of thirteen.

“Forty one years ago he walked into my dad’s garage where I was practicing with my ‘three piece rock band’ which consisted of a teabox and broom handle bass, a cake tin drum kit and me on an old white smokey top Beleni guitar. This man made us feel like rock stars and popped in every once in a while to motivate and nurture us. The rest is history,” he said.

Dicky said it was partly because of Steve that he ran away from home at 17 years old and started playing professionally for the next 25 years in dingy pubs, dance halls and for many years on the Southern Sun, Holiday Inn and Gooderson Group circuits.

“We crossed paths many times and had plenty of red eyed, late night jam sessions which continued until he passed away. What a man. A true gypsy and SA legend,” he said.

Long time Berea resident and co-founder of Save our Berea, Cheryl Johnson, said she had learnt of Steve’s passing with great sadness.

“Like many of my Durban contemporaries, Steve was a steadfast friend for over 55 years. I was a teenager when I first met The Flames. And I can still remember vividly the night The Beach Boys first came to see them perform. It was in a club called Blazes in London and I happened to be in London at the time. It was a turning point for the band and although eventually Steve chose to return to Durban, while Ricky and Blondie went on to illustrious careers in the States, I don’t think Steve regretted coming home for an instant. I can’t imagine Durban without him. For as long as I can recall, he was around, always cool, always calm, always kind and loving. He was a true gentleman and I will miss his gentle presence in my life. We all will.”

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