Mr. Sol Kerzner

Sol Kerzner was , & still is the richest & most powerful man I've ever known personally . Even in the 70s he was managing director & founder of the most successful hotel group in South Africa. From humble jewish beginnings to becoming  multi Billionair, Sol ruled the company with an iron hand.

Mr. Sol Kerzner.

I could tell many tales of the estravagent lifestyle of Sol Kerzner, but it is of little interest to those who are unfamiliar with him. However if interested just google his name to learn of his many enterprizes. 

 Sol had arrived in Jo-burg by  his private jet to oversee the initial opening of his latest baby 'The Landdrost',  he would be seen going from one part of the hotel to the next at almost trotting speed with his usual entourage of under managers following in his wake noting down changes ,adjustments etc. that he felt fit. However he seemed to relax in 'Annabels' even joining in the general atmosphere of the  entertainment 

One day I remember him taking us to one side to offer us advice on the sort of program he wanted the evenings to follow. Firstly the music has to be non-stop. in other words no breaks between each song... to perhaps take a well deserved slurp of beer, or to prepare the next number. Oh no ...no such luxuries. The next song must start as the previous one finished, for the musically minded 'Segue' for the whole session. Any verbal introductions or chat must be over the top of the intro .'Gary' a master in keeping perfect time was allocated to count in the next song while the previous one was still playing. The art was to  make the change smoothly and unnoticeable. very very difficult to get to grips with but something  we soon aquired   and was to be a very good rule from then on to ensure a lively night.

His second gripe was 'my organ' (how very dare he) . was this to be a trip to the  taylors to order new trousers that are not 'quite so tight' ?  eh..... No...... he meant my 'Hammond' organ. Being designed to sit against a wall, the back of the instrument is very bland with vents cut out to allow the heat from the glass valves to escape  generally to keep cool. Unfortunately in this case it now faced the audience, as I did & in Sol's world this just wasn't good enough. To address this problem was to employ a' master craftsman' the whole next day to paint the back & sign write our name 'Blend' across it in.... wait for it..... 22 carat gold leaf.   That now makes the value of my organ  approx. four times  it was when it left the UK.!.  

'Hotel Magnet' Sol was to expand his empire into America , Dubia, and peaked in South Africa with the opening in 1979 of ''Sun City'' a huge Luxury Casino & Resort built in the North West Province.