Fourways resident looks back on time as rock ‘n’ roll musician
A highlight on the rock ‘n’ roll scene in South Africa from the 80s and 90s is set to take the reader on a trip down memory lane from SA musician Danny de Wet’s book titled Sex, Drums and Rock ‘n’ Roll.
Fourways resident and rock and roll legend, Danny de Wet has launched his book called Sex, Drums and Rock ‘n’ Roll which details, warts and all, his experiences in the South African rock ‘n’ roll scene.
He had served national and international rock and roll fans with his drumming in two bands, éVoid and Petit Cheval. He then expanded to singing and songwriting for The Electric Pedal and Wonderboom.
De Wet said he has always had a passion for telling stories and admitted he has lived a unique rock ‘n’ roll life. “I was fortunate to play for three very popular bands and there is no comprehensive document of the rock scene in South Africa for the 80s, 90s and beyond,” he said.
“The work is about my ’40-something-year’ journey within the local music scene, with wonderful anecdotes about how iconic figures have interacted on that path, in whatever role I was playing: musician, producer, club owner, record company label manager or PR person.”
De Wet described his book as one that documents the history of rock music in this country. His style is set to take readers on a trip down memory lane as singers, places and songs that once shaped a generation are rediscovered. He hopes that these unique stories are the one thing that readers take away from his book.
De Wet also enjoyed reminiscing on his time with the band Wonderboom in three chapters.
“Anyone who grew up in the 70s, 80s and 90s will revel in the stories of the bands and musicians who were instrumental in creating the unique soundtrack of a nation on the brink of transformation,” he said.
“It was the wildest band that I was a part of for the first 13 years of their existence. Wonderboom is still going strong after 27 years.”
The artist had looked back on the rock ‘n’ roll scene and how it compares to today. “It’s the same as the rock scene all over the world post the internet and the crashing of record companies due to downloading or streaming. Old, established acts have to play live shows as their primary income stream and it is harder for young bands to achieve substantial success. This is because music is not an integral part of the newer generation’s focus on entertainment,” he said.
“In the 80s, South Africa had a few TV and radio stations and a handful of bands signed to major record labels.”
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