Ultra rare 78 rpm shellac recording by a young Tommy Dell and the Del-Mars!
In comms with Emile Kritzinger brother of ex - Del-Mars guitarist, Micheal “…The Del-Mars were actually quite a rocking band for their day and given their circumstances. It is a great pity they never got to record more of their numbers; I was just a kid so mostly got to attend their practice sessions with my big brother, Mike; the vibe and resulting music at their practice sessions in the garage, I thought were at times better than at their jive gigs. Exceptionally, I remember them playing at the Waldorf in town and lament those sessions were not recorded, as they really rocked then. Tommy Del (actually Berry) was subbing for their regular singer Dennis Witten during his army stint. It is great to hear Tommy's youthful voice, already showing the potential of his now-famous country-style. And I can actually pick out my brother Mike's rhythm guitar, Tommy Freeborough’s impressive bassline and the typical early 60's lead-guitar lines in the number. Mike was still young traffic officer when killed whilst on point-duty (what cops did to replace traffic lights in those days --- there's a gone-by era!!!) on Main Road, Mowbray…”
Thomas Berry, aka Tommy Dell went onto to form The Strangers (not to be confused with the act that featured a young Ivan Ross, and the line-up that backed Emil Dean in 1967 on “Little Bit Of Soap”/ “Something On My Mind”: CBS, SSC.754 and “The Boat That I Row”/” Gotta Tell The World”: CBS, SSC.790).
Tommy went on to study classical music at the Cape Town School of music before forming The Boys, winning the Cape Town battle of the bands in the early 60's.
Tommy, of course, went onto become one of South Africa’s most prolific Country and Western stars, recording a plethora of albums, and top selling singles achieving hit success on the Springbok Radio charts with “Don't Worry About Me”, entering the charts on 03-09-76, reaching no.11, remaining in the charts for 14 weeks, “Little Rosa”, entering the charts on 30-03-79, reaching no.5, remaining in the charts for 12 weeks, “Teddy Bear”, entering the charts on 13-10-78, reaching no.2, remaining in the charts for 13 weeks, “Teddy Bear's Last Ride”, entering the charts 19-08-83, reaching no.29, remaining in the charts for 1 week. Tommy also scored hits as a duo with Caroline Du Preez; “Golden Ring”, entering the charts on 27-08-76, reaching no.6, remaining in the charts for 13 weeks, and “Sometimes”, entering the charts 26-03-76, reaching no.6, remaining in the charts for 14 weeks.
Tommy is still performing to this day…
Tommy Dell and the Del-Mars - “Love In A Whirl”. Composed by Michael Kritzinger.
Flip side “Tell Me Daddy”. Released on the Parlophone label, SPD 208, 1961.
Line up:
Tommy Dell - Vocals
Brian Bailey - Lead Guitar
Colin Witten - Drums
Tommy Freeborough - Bass
Michael Kritzinger - Rhythm Guitar
Publisher: Ardmore & Beechwood (SA)
10 июл 2024
