The Bats (South African band)
The Bats were a South African band formed in Johannesburg in 1963. Their 1966 single "Listen to My Heart" was a hit on the Radio London charts.[1][2][3]
History
The band is composed of Barry Jarman - guitar, trumpet, assorted instruments; Jimmy Dunning - guitar, replaced by Pete Clifford - guitar, vocals; Paul Ditchfield - bass, guitar, keyboards, vocals; and drummer Eddie Eckstein.[4]
The Bats re-formed in 2000. Barry Jarman was approached, but said, "Been there, done that," and declined. Unfortunately, Barry later passed on. Derek Gordon took Barry's place in the line-up, and continues to serve in the group. Although the Bats are now not in the mould of high end entertainers, they continue to "wow" audiences with their 1960s and 1970s music. Their music and comedy presentations are still polished shows, fit for Pieter Toerien's Monte Casino Theatre in Fourways, Gauteng, South Africa.
Discography
Albums
| Album | Year | Label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Shabby Little Hut | 1965 | CBS | |
| All I Got | 1965 | CBS | |
| That's How I Feel | 1966 | CBS | |
| Image | 1968 | CBS | |
| Weltevrede | 1968 | CBS | |
| The Bats Turn You On | 1969 | CBS | |
| The Return of Fatman and Bobin | 1977 | Gallo | |
| Bats About Cricket | 2003 | Fantasia Records | |
| Good Times | 2004 | BMG | |
| We Are The Old | 2008 | Not On Label | |
| All 4 One | ? | Not On Label |
Singles
| Singles | Year | Label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| I Just Won't Care / 4th Of July | 1964 | CBS | |
| Garden Of Eden / Tracy Jane | 1965 | CBS | |
| A Shabby Little Hut | 1965 | CBS | |
| That's How I Feel / If You Wanna Play | 1965 | CBS | |
| All The Good Things | 1965 | CBS | |
| Say You're Mine / That's Why I'm Low | 1965 | CBS | |
| All I Got / I Do | 1965 | CBS | |
| You Can't Blame Me / All Of My Life | 1965 | CBS | |
| Listen To My Heart / Stop, Don't Do It | 1966 | Decca | |
| Moonface | 1966 | CBS | |
| Hard To Get Up In The Morning / Take Me As I Am | 1967 | Decca | |
| You Look Good Together / You Will Now, Won't You | 1967 | Decca | |
| Rip Van Willy / Waiting For You | 1968 | CBS | |
| Love Of The Common People | 1968 | CBS | |
| Groen En Goud / Wil Jy Weet | 1968 | CBS | |
| Weltevrede Stasie / My Beste Maat | 1968 | CBS | |
| Who's That Girl / Stop Exchange | 1969 | CBS | |
| The Rock Machine | 1969 | CBS | |
| Rebecca Stein / Are You A Sad Girl | 1969 | CBS | |
| Hold Your Head Up | 1972 | RPM | |
| Invula Manzi (Corn King Song) | 1973 | RTC | |
| Fat Man And Bobbin / Do Wah Diddy | 1973 | Gallo | |
| Die Curriebeker '78 / Die Curriebeker Disco Vrot Piesang Polka | 1978 | Gallo | |
| Bats, The Yellow Band - Vat Hom Gerrie | 1979 | Rob Roy Music | |
| Una Chocita Abandonada / El Pollito Y El Halcon | ? | CBS |
Compilations
| Compilations | Year | Label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greatest Hits | 1977 | Embassy | |
| The Best Of | 1996 | PolyGram | |
| The Heart & Soul | 2003 | Gallo | |
| Great South African Performers | 2001 | Gallo Record Company |
References
- Billboard - 17 Dec 1966 - Page 55 "Decca is also releasing a single, "Listen to My Heart," by a South African group, the Bats."
- History of contemporary music of South Africa Garth Chilvers, Tom Jasiukowicz - 1994- Part1 p7 " in 1968 Before The Bats formed, Eddie Eckstein played in Al Willcox's dance band, Paul Ditchfield was with The Vikings, Barry ... Their single: Listen to My Heart was a hit on the Radio London charts.
- Chivers, G; Jasiukowicz, T (1994). History of Contemporary Music of South Africa Part 1. Toga Publishing. p. 7. ISBN 0-620-18121-4.
- Percy Tucker Just the ticket!: my 50 years in show business 1997 - Page 361 "The musicians were a popular group called 'The Bats' - Paul Ditchfield, Eddie Eckstein, Barry Jarman and Pete Clifford. Eddie was the drummer and also something of a comedian with a loveable personality. "
- "Bats". Discogs. Retrieved 28 December 2020.