SEX, DRUGS AND ROCK ‘N ROLL
Drummer, Danny de Wet, who performed with éVoid and Petit Cheval in the eighties, will be launching his new book, Sex, Drums and Rock ‘n’ Roll, at The Knoll Historic Guest Farm in Hilton at 7.30pm on Thursday, April 27.
The musician and songwriter was also an original member of Wonderboom for their first 13 years and worked as a venue owner and marketeer at major record companies, signing Prime Circle and promoting The Parlotones.
He also co-owned the famous Wings Beat Bar, at which The Springbok Nude Girls made their Johannesburg debut and Chris Chameleon’s university band held down a residency.
As a musician, he headlined every major festival in South Africa, playing to over a 100 000 fans at the milestone Concert in The Park charity event and appearing on bills with Simple Minds, Live, 30 Seconds to Mars, Korn, The Mission, Muse, Kaiser Chiefs, Mike and The Mechanics and Good Charlotte.
In Sex, Drums and Rock ‘n’ Roll, he reveals, warts and all, his life as a touring musician. From school halls to packed stadiums, thumbing lifts to riding in limos and everywhere in between, the book is an unequivocal tribute to his band mates, influences, friends, family and fans who made it all possible.
De Wet, who has always had a passion for telling stories, describes himself as being very fortunate to have played for several popular bands during his four decade-long career.
“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,” he added.
Music fans can look forward to a trip down memory lane as singers, places and songs that once shaped a generation are rediscovered.
Danny’s unique adventure includes meaningful encounters with international superstars like Eric Clapton, U2, Richard Branson, Rodriguez, David Lee Roth (Van Halen), Coolio and the late Chris Cornell (Soundgarden/Audioslave). He also arranged international clinics by Tom Petty’s drummer and Linkin Park’s Grammy nominated sound engineer as well as tour managing Feeder, Wishbone Ash, Soulfly, Missy Higgins, Starsailor and Wayne Hussey.
De Wet’s book contains a plethora of anecdotes from the bands he played for, alongside the escapades of international wild rockers like Ozzy Osborne and ’behind the scenes’ revelations about Karen Zoid, The Parlotones, No Friends of Harry, Barney Simon, Springbok Nude Girls, Brenda Fassie, Prime Circle, Johnny Clegg, The Radio Rats, Sugardrive, Koos Kombuis, Wings Beat Bar, David Gresham Records and many more.
“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 says.
For the Hilton launch, De Wet will be joined by guitar wizard, Damian Kruger and Julian Guillot, who’s vocal prowess belies his tender age, and local guitarist, Roly Struckmeyer, a friend since the early years of Wonderboom, who toured with the band as a solo artist, after his stint with Arapaho.
They will be performing classic hits by SA bands, as well as The Rolling Stones, REM, The Cure, Bob Dylan, and more.
The music is juxtaposed against De Wet’s captivating tales of glorious excess and his quirky original songs, like Hairy Armpits Will Never Change The World, written for Therese Owen, the well-known and respected KZN music journalist.
Also joining in the fun will be balladeer and acoustic guitarist Charles Webster and the publisher of the book, Ian MacFarlane, who was a part of the Petit Cheval touring entourage and first met Danny way back in the eighties.
Tickets for the launch of Sex, Drums and Rock ‘n’ Roll are R120. To book, phone 082 933 3354.