The
Arts
:
Movies, Radio. Television , Singers and Musicians
Patricia Lewis: Top South African singer and Television personality . Her Father is Lebanese
Colin Shamley:
South Africa most underrated singer. He is a top Folk singer, during the
Apartheid years , many of his songs had strong anti government messages. His
album
Born Guilty is still rated as one of the top Albums ever
produced. He has written songs for many South African singers He wrote the
theme song for Emil Nofals film Katrina. He has sung in America.He still
sings today.
Emil Nofal:
South Africa’s top movie producer,
screen writer, director. No other movie
director has had such an impact on the South African movie industry. Emil
wrote and directed” Kimberly Jim ”.
This was US singing star Jim Reeves only
movie appearance. Emil gained international fame with his movie” The
Winners”. He also directed” My Way” , “Katrina” “ Wild Season” . he acted in
“all the way to Paris” .
George Michael: (Pretoria)
Game Hunter, who also produced many Wild Life TV programs for the European Market.
Leanne Manas;
Popular award winning
South African Television personality. Leanne is the co- anchor of SABC’s
channel 2 “morning Live”
Bernard Samra:
Former sound engineer Radio 702. He now owns “Live Linkups” a studio in
Orange
County California. Were he producers live feeds to most of the News
channels in the USA.
Joe Nofal:
former President of EMI
Record Company in
South Africa. As president of the Mayfair bowling
club. He would hold a
presidents day celebration , inviting many South African artists to perform,
such as Nico Carstens
and British trumpeter Eddie Calvert.
Al Bowlly:
Born in Lorenzo Marques ( now
Maputo) to a Greek Father and a Lebanese mother. Grew
up in South Africa. In the 30’s he became the #1 Big Band singer in
the UK. He appeared in movies and on radio both in the UK and US. In mid
30’s he went with Ray
Noble to New York. Glenn Miller was part of the Ray
Noble band, and would cry when Al would sing his theme song. Bowlly became
quite famous in America and had a large fan following.
He recorded over 1000 sides of songs
both in the UK and US. He was one of the first pop idols. His earliest
recordings he did for HMV in London ,
were Afrikaans songs. He died in a bomb raid in London during the second
world war.
Mish Bowlly:
Al’s youngest brother was a pianist. He went to London were he
joined his brother.
He was part of Al’s
UK
band. Mish returned to South Africa were he became a
music teacher.
Artimus Hill:
Was a popular singer married to Band Leader Dan Hill, she was Al Bowlly’s
niece.
Al Debbo:
Al’s Father and Mother were both Lebanese , his mother was a Saffy.
He was a comedian , acted in many movies , had his own television programs
and was top singer. He sang in English and Afrikaans. He was mostly know as
an Afrikaans performer.
Billy Kerdachi:
South African born violinist , was a band leader in London. He was related
to Al Bowlly and lived in England the same time as Al,
he later changed his
name to Gerhardi.
Emil Dean Zoghby:
Singer, writer and producer. Emil was a pop idol in South Africa. He penned
“Key to your Heart” his first single went to # 3 on the South African
charts. “How the mighty Hath Fallen” went to #6. He left South Africa to go
to London. He had some minor hits on the UK charts and appeared on British
TV. His break came when he wrote, performed and sang in the West
End hit
Musical “Catch My Soul” .He worked
at
Chappel music and
produced many top British acts .He returned to South Africa were he had much success as a writer and
producer of South African acts.
Antonio Risha:
South African opera singer ,lives in
Italy were he became quite famous.
Johnny Collini: (real
name Kallil) Sang with the Zombies ,
before they became 4 Jacks and a Jill. He became a singing idol have
many hits including “Sea of Tears”
Trevor Nasser:
This highly acclaimed guitarist is
one
of the top South African musicians . He has recorded many great
albums.
Christine Mansour:
Recording artist, her songs have Lebanese influence.
Geoff St John ( Jacobs):Has
a number of hits his biggest “ Candy”. He is a popular night club singer.
Simon Kerdachi:
Night club singer.
Joe Jagga:
Drummer with Johnny Collini
Eddie Leicher :
Keyboards Mad Munks.
Their top selling record “Wonderful World”
Joe Mustapha :
Drums Mad Munks . Singles “Hold
On” and “you’ve got me Humming”
Rohan Thomas :
Bass Madd Munks.
Peter Michael :Trumpet
Magnificent Seven with Emil Dean
Zoghby
Doug Abbott
: Drums Magnificent Seven.
David Khoury :
Vocals Guitar “The Vedettes” .top
single “The way I used to”
Albert Khoury:
(brother of David)
Vocals Bass “The Vedettes”. They
won the 1965 Springbok Radio Battle of the bands.
Brian Khoury:
drums “Visitors”
Tyron Khoury :
drums “Falling Leaves”
Des Khoury :
Keyboards “ Theta”
Favin Kairuz;
drums
Fresh Evidence
Neil Solomon:
Actor , producer, writer. For theatre
and Films. He was the vocalist, guitar player and keyboards for the super
group “The Uptown Rhythm Dogs.
Craig Beyrooti: Was involved with Emil Dean Zoghby and Kevin Manas in the 8th Avenue Sound Studios, producing many top South African acts. Today Craig is the CEO of Atlantic Professional Sound in the USA. Developing large Sound systems for churches, stages and concerts.
Arthur Tannous: Pharmacist, has written many contempory
Christian songs for the Rhema band Johannesburg. His most famous song is "I just want
to Praise you" (See youtube).
Yango
John:
South Africa's top impresario , brought many top artists to South Africa
including Tom Jones.
Kevin Leicher:
Well known producer and guitarist, is nominated for a South African Music
award April 2012 ; Best Producer.
Authors
Cecile Yasbeck : Olive trees round my table (See Main page for link to this book review)
Anthony Farah : Crack in the Cedar. Married to Valerie Lahoud. Worked for standard and Barcklays bank South Africa now lives in US where his next book "Sweet Poetry" a book on Christian poetry will be published shortly
Maureen Jabour: Author of the books : Magical Gardens, Celebrating A Small English Garden, A Medley of Gardens. Maureen was the garden editor Of Colorado House and gardens. She is the wife of Dr Christy Jabour and mother of Dr's Bradley and Dorienne Jabour.
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