This is a band epitomising heart and soul, with a fabulous synergy going on stage. Their infectious energy and enthusiasm is guaranteed to get even the most hardened music crit up on his feet and swept away on a wave of pure unadulterated “music for the love of it” trip. Having said that, the talent of these 3 musicians is breath taking, to say the least. With a repertoire stretching from 60’s to 90’s, there is something for everyone, and when they do their Barbershop routine, the perfect harmonies will, without a shadow of a doubt, blow you away.
All three of these highly acclaimed and well-respected musicians are lead vocalists in their own right, and it shows when they take to the stage and simply bowl you over with their superb music ability.
With this band you are guaranteed tremendous talent, unequalled musical pleasure, perfect professionalism, and, well, a night of real fun – the kind that makes your face hurt from smiling!
DAVE ABBOTT (founding member of South Africa’s most successful
comedy outfit Abbott & Crabb) was born in England and came to South Africa
25 years ago. Dave is now settled in South Africa and considers himself a South
African, and not an Englishmen.
Dave is an accomplished solo entertainer and comedian, musician, songwriter and jingle writer. He runs his own studio, affectionately name “Dastudio” where all Abbott and Crabbs’ CV’s and compilation tracks are recorded. As an entertainer, he combines stories and songs with an extremely accomplished instrumental and vocal ability. He plays guitar, keyboards, fiddle, harmonica, plus one or two other odds and ends, plus a DJ set up which he carries around for the serious dancing crowd. Dave Abbott & Friends (the band) sees Dave mostly with his acoustic and electric guitars, and of course, fabulous vocals and unstoppable energy.
DAVE DALE was born in Manchester, England. His musical career started in England playing drums at the age of 16. At 19 his first major success was playing in the backing for the Ivy League (of “Tossing and Turning” fame). At age 21, he joined an international act called the Garden Oddessey, spending 5 years with this act, travelling worldwide, playing in high profile venues and also doing television and radio work.
Dave moved to South Africa at age 26 with a band named Copperfield and remained with this hugely successful outfit for 10 years. They recorded a couple of albums and had 2 hit singles, as well as doing television and radio work in South Africa.
Since then, Dave has worked as a solo, duo and trio with drums, keyboards and guitar. He sings backing as well as lead vocals. He has played all of South Africa’s major hotel chains, a residency for a year at Sun City, Swaziland, Botswana, Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the Arab Emirates and various Hilton Hotels. He also travelled to Egypt to work on the Sinai Peninsular for a spell.
PETER BALL aka BONES started playing in 1964 and went professional in 1966. He then spent 2 years entertaining in Germany; both the Germans in their clubs, and the US GI’s on the bases, including 2 months in Eastern Turkey.
Back in the UK, Pete did the one-nighters for a year or so before joining a band with Cozy Powell, brothers Dave (Procul Harum) and Denny (Long John Baldry Band).
Pete joined a cabaret band between 1970 and 1974 doing the clubs all over the UK, as well as cabaret jobs in Germany, Israel and Ireland. He came to South Africa in 1974 with Copperfield and one of their hits included “So you win again” in 1978. He left the band in 1980 and spent the next 2 years with comedian Joe Parker in “Joe Parker’s Rand ‘n Bones Band” for the next 2 years.
After that, Pete played various 2, 3 and 6 piece bands to keep the juices flowing and then did the Jewish circuit for around 15 years, which also took him on the Achille Lauro for several months of cruising, visiting many places. Nice holiday work!
Finally, Pete formed “Double Dave and Bones” or if you would “Abbott and Friends” in February 2004; back to 100% live music, and he hasn’t looked back since!