Formation and Early Rise to Fame

The Staccatos, formed by Brian Le Gassick in 1961 while he was a student at Damelin College, quickly made a name for themselves in the South African music scene. In 1963, their victory in a competition earned them a recording contract with EMI and the title of the “Beatles of South Africa,” marking the beginning of a significant musical journey.

Chart-Topping Success and National Acclaim

The Staccatos achieved their first major success with the song “Come Back Silly Girl,” which entered the charts in December 1965 and peaked at number two on the Springbok Hit Parade. This track solidified their status in the South African music industry as a force to be reckoned with.

Record-Breaking Hit: “Cry to Me”

In 1968, The Staccatos recorded “Cry to Me,” a song that would become a monumental hit in South Africa. It spent an unprecedented 38 weeks on the charts in 1969, a record for both local and international hits on the Springbok Radio Hit Parade. The song’s popularity soared after The Staccatos performed it live in the movie “Katarina,” and it went on to achieve phenomenal sales, earning a 4th Gold Disc for exceeding 400,000 units sold in South Africa.