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Burning Bright ! - a short history of The Flames

The Flames were formed by brothers Steve Fataar on vocals and guitar and Edries (Brother) Fataar on vocals and bass, in Durban in 1963 under the management of Bing Kinsey. The band was originally augmented by George Faber on drums and Eugene Champion on guitar. Soon however Ricky Fataar joined on drums and Edries Fredericks took over on guitar and vocals. This formation recorded many 45's and the band's first album entitled Ummm! Ummm! Oh Yeah!!! after a Buddy Holly tune from his album Showcase.


Edries Fredericks left the band around 1966 in order to provide a more regular income and start a family. He was replaced by Mitchell (Baby) Duvall on guitar and vocals. They recorded the Flames' second album That's Enough released in early 1967. This album closed with the Flames first take at covering a 1959 Jerry Butler soul classic "For Your Precious Love". During these early years the Flames grew in fame and stature, often winning band competitions and polls. At age 12 Ricky Fataar won the title of Best Rock Drummer in South Africa.


After Mitchell Duvall's departure, the Flames needed a new singer/guitarist. They invited Blondie Chaplin to join them for the recording of their third album Burning Soul! His amazing soulful voice and guitar playing helped change the band's direction to the classic Motown and Atlantic soul repertoire. This line-up went on to record their fourth and best album Soulfire in early 1968. This album featured their new version of "For Your Precious Love" with its unforgettable spoken introduction. This recording was released on a 45 which took the Flames to the top of the charts over much of Southern Africa during the middle of 1968.


In between Burning Soul and Soulfire The Flames also found time to help Una Valli record her masterpiece Soul Meeting by backing her on six of the twelve tracks.Thier collective version of Satisfaction gives Aretha Franklin something to think about ! Later that year they moved to London, where they played the club scene. It was at Blaise's that the Beach Boys' Al Jardine and Carl Wilson spotted them and later invited them to move to the United States and record for the Beach Boys own Brother label. They dropped the final letter from their name, becoming The Flame and started writing their own material. The album entitled simply "The Flame" was released in late 1970 and was the first ever rock album recorded in quadraphonic sound. It's a startling set of hard rockers, smooth ballads and power epics.


A second album was recorded but shelved after Steve Fataar and Edries (Brother) Fataar elected to return home. Ricky Fataar and Blondie Chaplin were later invited to become full-time members of The Beach Boys, staying for three albums, "Carl And The Passions: So Tough", "Holland" and the double live set "In Concert". All feature compositions by Ricky Fataar and Blondie Chaplin and all are well worth seeking out.

The Flames live on in their wonderful records, five albums and fifteen 45's in all. To this day their powerful and melodic playing and singing continues to thrill both old and new fans.


Way back in the 1970's the original master tapes for most of The Flames' records were sadly lost in a factory fire. Every effort has been made to return this wonderful music to you in the best possible sound quality by high-grade transcriptions from the best possible vinyl sources. Listen for yourself and judge if we have succeeded. Enjoy the Flames!
Bas Mollenkramer - The Netherlands 2010

This song was one of the most requested and most played on Esmé Euverard's "Forces Favourites" radio show on Springbok Radio back then. She had a slogan "Vasbyt", (stand firm, or hold tight) and the thousands of messages she passed on to the "Boys on the Border".

http://www.the-flames.com

The two last, and most popular albums of The Flames, namely "Burning Soul" and "Soulfire" are again available as a 2 in 1 CD. International buyers can go here: http://gemm.com/q.cgi?rb=sugarmusic&seller&a_refno=GML1446861273
South Afrian buyers can go here: http://www.freshmusic.co.za/sasales.html

To purchase the G-Force visuals, please go to http://www.soundspectrum.com/g-force/