It must have been over 40 degrees centregrade as we touched down to refuel at 'Salisbury airport' Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe ) enroute to Johannesburg. It was late evening. We were ushered into the waiting room where even the huge fans rotating up in the ceiling didn't cool us in the heat and humidity. There was political unrest the country and the airport looked like it was being run by the military. They were toting guns and looked slightly menacing. We were unsure of what was happening , but whatever it was it delayed our plane's take off for a considerable time.
Over the past few weeks everything had moved very fast. The band had succesfully auditioned in London. Visas arranged, various vaccinations had been administered, yes the band, wives & tons of equipment was being flown to Johannesburg, South Africa, all paid for on a six month contract, plus an optional further six months if we wanted. Unknown to me , my Charecter , & the course of my life was about to change forever.
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Peter Bacon of 'Southern Sun International' picked up a rather tired and bedraggled bunch of brits from 'Jan Smuts' Airport Johanessburg. Enroute to what would be our new home & venue for eight months. We were driven for miles along an avenue of Jacuranda trees in full bloom, they really were beautiful and a welcome sight after hours of travelling, perhaps for that reason I will always remember that last leg of our journey to this day.
The 'Southern Sun' Hotel Chain was owned by Entrepenour 'Sol Kerzner' (more about him later) 'The Landrost' was his latest 'new baby', a brand new built 'five star' hotel in the centre of Jo.burg, the oppulance of which far outshone any other hotel in the area. We were completely gobsmacked by our new luxurious surroundings complete with persian carpets, marbled floors, diamond crystal chandeliers & polished mahagany interior. Whatsmore we were to 'live in' as guests. Yes if we wanted a steak sandwich at 3.o clock in the morning, no worries, 'roomservice' was available 24 : 7 .
The view up Twist Street to Hillbrow from our room on the seventh floor .
Our Band was to be resident at the hotels' very sophisticated Night club on the top floor named 'Annabels' designed on a french theme with A La Carte resturant . Our opening night was a very elegant affair with the press & their critics all present to reveiw ourselves, the room & the main caberet, no other than the iconic french star ''Sasha Distell''.
He had brought his own band along so it was a chance for us to step off stage , enjoy a fantastic show & wallow in the luxury of our new permanent surroundings.
As expected Sacha Distell & his band excelled. The whole evening was a resounding success, after which the party went on into the early hours of the morning.
Sacha Distell was a very accomplished guitarist which surprises most people. It was after the audience had left, I stood at the back admiring his band who were jamming on stage. A voice in my ear said ''not bad hey''? I said ''absolutly brilliant'', as I turned round to come face to face with Sacha . We ended up chatting & drinking fine Champagne late into the early hours. I'll always remember at this point in time thinking ''I have finally made it as a professional musician''. here I was looking out on the sparkling lights, (albeit slightly hazy) of Johannesburg's skyline chatting to Sacha Distell, drinking the best Champagne. All those years of piano practice had finally paid off.
The following day We posed for pictures with Sacha Distel. (great bloke by the way)
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