RPM, RPM1192
Producer: Attie van Wyk
Engineer: Pikes Cronje
Recorded at: RPM Studios
Long before today's ubiquitous TV talent searches like Idols and The X-Factor, The Soft Shoes emerged as winners of the SABC's 'Follow That Star' contest in 1983, due to the success of one song, 'Elvis Astaire', which reached number 4 on the SA charts. The band, made up of Jervis Pennington, Darren Magnusson, Roy Bramwell and Tinus 'Tommy' Maree, went on to release three albums. Looking at them now, it's hard to see how these guys broke hearts with their lame dance moves and cheesy 50s era rock n' roll and swing posing. Indeed the white pop scene soon took to superior acts like Face To Face, Ella Mental and eVoid. Interestingly, the Shoes were produced by Attie van Wyk, the same man responsible for launching the careers of black talent like Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Chicco at Dephon around the same time. If you love cheese,
feast your eyes on this 35-minute TV special...
feast your eyes on this 35-minute TV special...