Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Running Wolf's Rant
    Latest News
    • Artists Announced for MTN Bushfire Festival 2022
    • David Kramer Reik Liedjie Uit Vir Eseltjiesrus se Donkies
    • Nomadic Orchestra release flavourful album: “Out & About”
    • Emerger Prepares For Take-Off With “Aeroplane Park”
    • Amy Lilley releases new single: “Video Games”
    • Jeremy Loops Colabs With Ed Sheeran on “Better Together”
    • Nibs Van Der Spuy releases “Maiden of the river”
    • Calum Scott To Tour South Africa in November 2022
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube RSS TikTok
    Home
    • Categories
      • Entertainment
      • Facts
      • General News
      • Hacks
      • Opinion
      • Photography
      • Quotes
      • Technology
    • Pages
      • Interesting Music Facts
      • Music Events
      • South African Artists & Bands
      • South African Live Music Events, Venues & Festivals
      • Submit Music Facts
      • Submit Music Festival Stories
    • Featured
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Policy
    Subscribe
    Running Wolf's Rant
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube RSS
    Home»Entertainment»Music»Diary of a SA Music fan – Part 1: The Beginning (1977-1995)

    Diary of a SA Music fan – Part 1: The Beginning (1977-1995)

    Henno KrugerBy Henno KrugerMay 12, 2021 Music 6 Comments7 Mins Read159 Views
    Share
    Facebook Twitter Email Telegram WhatsApp

    This is the first part of my memoirs, entitled “Diary of a SA Music Fan”. I hope that you like this trip down memory lane featuring some funny and interesting stories.

    I was born in February 1977 in Louis Trichardt

    Louis Trichardt is a little town at the foot of the Soutpansberg in the Limpopo province of South Africa. I have to admit that I had an awesome childhood in Louis Trichardt.

    Riding my bicycle to and from school, the local video shop and from the local corner cafe had become part of my daily routine before I was 13 years old. The neighourhood kids and I played a lot of backyard cricket, soccer and sometimes touch rugby, rode our bikes through the local tree park and played “klei lat” at the town dam (when it still had water).

    Hanglip

    My extra-curricular activities included a little rugby and cricket. I also gave athletics a try in primary and high school, but I was never really one for doing sports. It was obvious that I had a different calling.

    I was introduced to music at a young age

    Overplaying my dad’s Elvis Presley Simon & Garfunkel, Nana Moskouri, David Kramer, Des & Dawn, Johnny Rivers and Johnny Cash records on his 1970’s style Philips hi-fi in our living room got me into trouble now and then.

    I eventually got into local music like Leon Schuster, Bles Bridges and other contemporary Afrikaans artists that got airplay on National TV and radio in South Africa at the time.

    Listening to a proper radio station was a mission because Louis Trichardt was (and still is) 16 km out of range from proper 5FM (then Radio 5) signal, so I had to get my music fix by either listening to Radio Jacaranda (now Jacaranda Stereo) or by press-sticking a long-ass radio antenna to my room’s ceiling.

    I also remember picking up the 1980’s vibes from shows like Fast Forward, Pop Shop, Toyota Top 20 and No Jacket Required on television (whilst enduring my parents’ “check nou weer daai takhaar met die oorbel” rants about Alex Jay).

    1980s Boombox

    By the late 1980’s / early 1990’s I was listening to Radio 5 in the mornings, in the evenings and the American Top 40 and Radio 5 Top 40 broadcasts over the weekends. I recorded a lot of songs that I liked onto cassette so I could listen to them over and over. This was Roxette‘s golden age and it wasn’t long before I finally saved up enough money to buy their “Look Sharp” album on cassette.

    My Roxette cassette set me back R17,99 at our local Checkers

    Believe me, that was a lot of money back in the 1980’s. To give you an idea, a can of Coke set you back about R1,40 back then. I also admit that I bought Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan and a few Pop Shop cassettes during this learning curve phase (and I don’t regret it because I didn’t know any better and it was popular at the time, so shoot me).

    By the early 1990’s CD’s had finally reached South Africa and I was getting restless that I could not play them on my dad’s hi-fi. I did have two friendly neighbours who taped albums by Indecent Obession, 2 Unlimited, Snap, Dr Alban, Bad Boys Blue, 24/7, Culture Beat, Midnight Oil and other artists for me before I had a huge confrontation with my dad (which I regret to this day). One good thing that came out of that was that we eventually got a CD player (in 1992).

    Mixtape - SA Music Fan

    I guess I could call what followed next my my experimental phase. I was listening to more music, but I had not found the musical genre that appealed to me yet. The age of good pop music was reaching its end. The 90’s techno revolution was in full swing. The political situation in South Africa was changing and we were being exposed to more music from abroad.

    I first heard “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana on Fast Forward (in 1991).

    I took notice of the song and I noted that it was catchy, but I didn’t take it seriously at first. Eventually curiousity got hold of me and I asked a friend to tape all the Nirvana albums for me. I vaguely remember when I first pressed play to listen to the Nevermind album but I do remember that it almost had an instant musical impact on me. It wasn’t long before I was listening to that album and In Utero (when it came out in 1993) on repeat.

    Thanks to Radio 5 and some of my classmates I soon got introduced me to bands like Pearl Jam, Violent Femmes, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Smashing Pumpkins, Alice in Chains, Metallica, Green Day, The Offspring, Live, Counting Crows and others and it wasn’t long before I was hooked. I had found the musical genre that appealed to me – I was going to become a rock fan. I taped over all the techno albums that I had on cassette.

    My love for good music was growing and my high school had noticed it. The school actually asked me to play tunes during break on Valentines Day and Spring Day. I gladly did this even though my dad’s hi-fi speakers weren’t that loud.

    My playlist was not allowed to contain any Metallica, Nirvana or something by The Offspring, but I tried my best to make a success of it. I wouldn’t say that I was the best high school daytime DJ, but I didn’t get any complaints. Tunes by Crash Test Dummies, The Spin Doctors, INXS and others went down pretty well during these sessions.

    In 1995, this SA Music Fan got a phone call from Barney Simon

    I was in matric at the time. He had chosen me for the “You Say It I play it” segment on his show. I’m speaking under correction, but I think he asked me something about ostriches and oranges during the call. I recorded this on tape so I could listen to it and it got played in a class at school. Someone mentioned that I had been on Radio 5 and the teacher couldn’t resist. Barney also sent me a signed Radio 5 sticker via snail mail.

    Barney Simon

    Thanks to Barney I also discovered a multitude of SA bands. The SA music revolution was starting after the end of Apartheid and I was discovering blokes like Koos Kombuis and bands like Urban Creep, Lithium, The LED, Springbok Nude Girls, Sugardrive and Wonderboom.

    The SA Music scene was tiny but it was breaking the chains that Apartheid had imposed on it. People were starting to take notice of it. Hearing these bands on the radio cemented a love for SA Music in me. It’s something that’s definitely embedded in my vains to this day.

    I left Louis Trichardt to study at Technikon Pretoria (now called the Tshwane University of Technology). The better radio signal was a schweet deal in 1996. I will always remember these early days as the ones that shaped me and made me what I am today. I’ve definitely grown into quite a SA Music fan since then.

    This was Part 1 of Diary of a SA Music Fan. Watch this space for the next chapter.

    Watch this space for updates in the Music category.

    Get updates via email
    Barney Simon Diary of a SA Music Fan Louis Trichardt Roxette South Africa Springbok Nude Girls Wonderboom
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Telegram WhatsApp Reddit Email
    Previous ArticleWhat Are The Top Cisco CUBE Recording Security Methods?
    Next Article What brands should know about image and video SEO
    Henno Kruger

    Blogger, Desktop Activist, Twitter / Facebook Addict, Music Festival Addict, Avid lover of South African music, Founder and owner of Running Wolf's Rant

    Related Posts

    Diary of a SA Music Fan – Part 2: My First Oppikoppi

    Jun 10, 20219 Mins Read28 Views

    Louis Trichardt: 10 Facts You Might Not Know about my Home Town

    Dec 21, 20203 Mins Read77 Views

    SABC to play 90% local SA Music from tomorrow

    May 11, 20162 Mins Read5 Views

    Gary Cool to showcase SA Music on Team Rock Radio

    Jan 26, 20163 Mins Read17 Views

    RIP Phil Wright

    Feb 27, 20132 Mins Read28 Views

    My 2 Cents on the State of SA Music

    Oct 22, 20127 Mins Read18 Views

    6 Comments

    1. Andrew on Nov 2, 2020 6:19 PM

      What a wonderful trip down memory lane! I was stationed at the Air Force Base in Louis Trichardt from 1996 to 2000, so I know the places you mention. By the way, who was the early morning DJ on 5FM in 1990? He was a high school teacher who would do the early 1 hour show between 5 AM and 6AM – he called himself the ‘snickers’.

      Reply
      • Henno Kruger on Nov 3, 2020 7:58 AM

        I can’t rememember – It used to be Alex Jay from 6 AM when I was in High School… Dunno who that was…

        Reply
    2. Sai Naidoo on Nov 28, 2020 6:30 AM

      Awesome reading your memory trip. Got up at 5 am thinking “what’s that guys name that used to present Toyota Top 20” and a Google search led me to here. I also found my music via radio. Capital Radio 604. The place where most of SAs best djs spawned. Also spent some time at Louis Trichardt when I was flying in the SAAF. I feel your pain about it being remote, but had some good times there. Take care.

      Reply
      • Henno Kruger on Nov 28, 2020 9:48 PM

        Thanks for input Sai 🙂

        Reply
    3. Candice Huddle on Feb 4, 2021 5:47 PM

      Wow, memories are flooding back!!! Thanks for an awesome read @Henno. The 80s and 90s RULED

      Reply
      • Henno Kruger on Feb 4, 2021 6:04 PM

        My pleasure 🙂

        Reply

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    You Might Like

    Album Review: Peter Toussaint – One Day

    Mar 8, 201830 Views

    Review: Post Malone Live in Johannesburg

    Jun 28, 201939 Views

    An Interview with Ryan Kirby from Fit For a King

    May 21, 201818 Views

    A quick chat with Rubber Duc

    Jun 9, 201718 Views

    Clap your hands for Jeremy Loops – “Trading Change”

    Jun 30, 201420 Views
    Subscribe
    Get updates via email
    You Might Also Like

    Why Should College Athletes Be Paid?

    Jul 14, 2021

    How To Promote Your Business With Custom Banners

    Mar 24, 2021

    Fokof Bar: Pasop Vir Nostalgie

    Mar 15, 201930 Views

    This Is It: The Summer of Our Discontent

    Oct 25, 20139 Views

    6 Tips for Writing a History Paper the Easy Way

    Apr 29, 20227 Views
    Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    About Running Wolf’s Rant
    About Running Wolf's Rant

    Running Wolf's Rant has been covering the South African Music Scene and featuring interesting, funny and engaging content since 2008.

    Feel free to explore the various sections and categories. We hope that you find something howling good while you're exploring. Please share posts that you find interesting with your friends on Social Media. Share buttons are provided.

    Featured Posts

    Review: Krank’d Up Festival 2017

    Oct 9, 201712 Views

    Review: 1 July 2018 edition of Park Acoustics

    Jul 12, 201812 Views

    1990s Music: 101 Interesting Facts You Might Not Know

    Feb 24, 20205,874 Views
    Recent Posts

    Artists Announced for MTN Bushfire Festival 2022

    May 12, 202220 Views

    How to Promote your Martial Arts Classes Online

    May 12, 2022

    David Kramer Reik Liedjie Uit Vir Eseltjiesrus se Donkies

    May 9, 202211 Views
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube RSS
    © 2022 Running Wolf's Rant. Designed by ThemeSphere.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.