STACCATOS
About Us
How it all started
The band was formed by Brian Le Gassick in 1961 while he was studying at Damelin College. In the latter part of 1963, The Staccatos won a competition and they became known as the “Beatles of South Africa” and part of their prize was a recording contract with EMI.
SA’s first Super Group
“Come Back Silly Girl” entered the charts on 17 December 1965 and reached the number two position on the Springbok Hit Parade. The song put the Band on the map, as this was also their first chart topper!
The Staccatos entered the Springbok Hit Parade in August 1968, with their Terry Dempsey composition “Butchers and Bakers”. B&B spent 10 weeks on the chart peaking at #2. At the end of 1968, The Staccatos recorded their biggest hit, “Cry to Me”.
The song went #1 and spent 38 weeks on the charts during 1969! No other local or international hit, featured on the Springbok Radio Hit Parade, could ever improve on this exceptional chart run of 38 weeks. The song’s popularity surged after The Staccatos had performed the song live in controversial movie “Katarina”.
We wonder if anyone knows how many copies of the single were sold in SA in the late 60’s / early 70’s? For the first time in South Africa, a 4th Gold Disc (or sales in excess of 400 000 awarded to a song) and it was to “Cry To Me” at the time. The band also received a Sari Award in 1970 as “Top Beat Group”. The song also entered the hit parade in Germany and the UK.
To this day, most radio stations still play this monster hit, and it is a crowd favourite at any function.
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Rediscovering Historical Achievements
Rediscovering Music of the 70’s & The SA Charts – Jan 1970
Three acts enjoed a presence in the Springbok Chart for 6 consecutive years – 1965 – 1970
Springbok Top 20 Charts – 2 Jan 1970
#1 The Hollies – He Ain’t Heavy… He’s My Brother (#1 LM Radio – 4 Jan1970)
#6 The Staccatos – Cry To Me (#1 LM Radio – 2 March 1969 – only chartered between Jan-March 1969)
#19 Tom Jones – Without Love (#11 LM Radio – 11 Jan 1970)
Chart History (selected)
1965 – I’m Alive / Come Back Silly Girl / It’s Not Unusual
1966 – I Can’t Let Go / Come Back Silly Girl / Green Green Grass of Home
1967 – That’s My Desire / Spicks And Specks / Funny Familiar Forgotten Things
1968 – Sorry Suzanne / Butchers And Bakers / Delilah
1969 – He Ain’t Heavy / Cry To Me / Love Me Tonight
1970 – I Can’t Tell The Bottom From The Top / Cry To Me / Without Love
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History In The Making
The band was formed in 1961, disbanded in 1999 and reformed in 2019.
Since reforming, they completed 12 full-house standing ovation concerts on the Barnyard and Theatre circuits to date.
The Staccatos are back in Studio, recording after 48 years (the last recording was “Cinnamon Girl” in 1973). This historical recording will be launched in 2021 to celebrate the comeback of the “Biggest Band & Biggest Hit” South Africa has ever produced.
Founder, Brian Le Gassick, is young 77 years old (celebrating 60 years in the industry this year) and, togetether with Lead Vocalist, Steve Asheley (celebrating 53 years in the industry this year), they plan to sing and entertain for as long as they are healthy and ROCKING!
Manager/Project Leader, Ebeth Loots, is 53 years old and born in the year Steve Ashley started his professional career, and ALSO the year in which the mega hit “Cry To Me” was recorded. On April 28, at the Indie Awards, she received an accolade for “Best Artist Manager” of the year and The Staccatos received a Life Time Achievement award.
We are looking forward to continuing our succes story in 2021 and beyond!
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The Band (Barnyard Show)
The Staccatos took audiences on a trip down memory lane. The cast moved with case between genres, taking the audience on a sentimental journey. The show had it all – powerful vocals, beautiful melodies, lyrics filled with nostalgia and arrangements that gave you chills. Famous old songs and new stories kept the audience spellbound.
The band featured the legendary founder, Brian Le Gassick (Guitar & Vocals) and the phenomenal Steve Ashley (a former Lead Vocalist of The Staccatos on vocals again). They were backed by a five piece supporting band consisting of Connie Bentlage (Keyboards, Saxophone & Vocals), Mias Lots (Drums), Trevor Muller (Bass Guitar), Jaco Smit (Lead Guitar) and Jo Day (Backing Vocals).
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Book Us, The Award Winning Team,
For Your Next Event!
Promoter/Manager/PR
Ebeth Loots
Tel:
083 592 7442
Email:
ebeth@thestaccatos.co.za
