New book explores story of rock in SA
“I am a one-time drummer, full-time drama!” jokes rock ‘n’ roll legend Danny de Wet as he introduces himself and his new book, Sex, Drums & Rock ‘n Roll... in Africa.
De Wet is a South African rock music legend who kicked off his career behind the drum kit for two iconic 80s bands; éVOID and Petit Cheval.
Expanding his talents to include song-writing and singing, he was also the driving force behind two additional successful acts, The Electric Petals and Wonderboom.
Sex Drums and Rock 'n Roll… in Africa takes a behind-the-scenes look at South African rock ‘n’ roll from the late 70s to the present. De Wet says he was inspired to write the book after undergoing a cancer operation in 2017.
The book features anecdotes 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.
“The rock scene here in terms of the demographic is pretty small, but that doesn’t mean that there was not a very interesting thing here.”
The story of rock in South Africa has been untold until now, he says.
“I don’t think anyone can tell it like me. I’m not interviewing people, I am actually telling the stories... I was there and it happened, which I think makes the book very unique.”
The book will be launched through the Storytellers/Unplugged book launch concert tour taking place at the Barnyard Theatre in Tygervalley today, Wednesday November 2, Cafe Roux on Friday November 4 and the Alma Cafe on Saturday November 5.
De Wet will be taking to the stage with long-time friend, former Lithium vocal powerhouse and front-man for The DeadBeats, David Beretta Owens.
Over his four-decade career, De Wet headlined major South African festivals, playing to over a hundred thousand 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.
“God gave me the most amazing midlife crisis. When I was in my mid-forties, he gave me a band with guys in their early twenties who were wild so I just never grew up,” he says.
“I just carried it on. In fact, I played in the most rock ‘n’ roll band of my life when I was in my fifties, and they were just the wildest guys. I used to tell them all these stories about the other bands. The most exciting stories are in the three Wonderboom chapters because they were just out there.”
De Wet says having his son play the drums on stage with him as well as performing at Ellis Park were highlights of his four decades in the music industry.
“The way the book ends was when my son gave me my first hug. That was bigger than any rock ‘n’ roll achievement,” he says.
“Playing at the concert in the park in the 80s was another highlight. I walked off stage and it was a full Ellis Park concert. I had a feeling that this was the biggest show I’m ever going to do. I went to the production office and asked how many people were there and it was more than a hundred thousand people, and that was amazing.”
The book will be available at the launch or at www.dannydewet.co.za or Facebook.