The Rockets

Cape Town band who formed in 1968 and are still performing. The original line-up morphed out of The Fantastics and included George Carelse (lead guitar), Robbie Jansen (guitar, sax, flute), John Barron (drums, lead vocals), Claude Brown (bass, sax) and Bones Delight (vocals).

They started their career releasing the singles “Itchy Fingers” (1968), “Argie” (1968) and “In orbit”/“Enchantment” (1969). In 1969 they won the South African Battle of the Bands competition. They went to England in late 1969 and appeared on Top of the Pops and supported John Lennon’s Plastic Ono Band at the Marquee and Credence Clearwater Revival on their European tour.

On their return to South Africa George Carelse and Robbie Jansen were replaced by Gerry Watt (guitar) and Cliffie Valentine (keyboards).

They released their first album Loving You in 1975, followed by A Place in the Sun (1980), Thank You Thank You (1984), Check it Out! (1988), We Are All African People (1989), Tomorrow (1990) and Please Don’t Go (1992). They were the support act for various overseas artists when they toured South Africa in the early 1980s: Tavares, Champion Jack Dupree, The O’Jays and Curtis Mayfield. In 1982 they were Leo Sayer’s backing band when he performed at Sun City.

They have had numerous line-up changes over the years including Ronnie Joyce joining on vocals in 1984. Ricardo later joined as vocalist.