BB Jameson's 1980'S

“Jammerson's”

Staring down the Jamesons steps, 42 years ago… rushing up to greet me were the R&R thunder, the smell of beer, and slap chips. The walls were covered with band posters. For musicians of the day, this was Resistance HQ: a pub with a special licence where people of all races were allowed to drink together… and dance together… and did we jive! The cherry-faced Lurchers, the Genuines, Winston’s Jive Mix-Up had the place rocking, and history was being made.

This was the “new South Africa” — ten years ahead of its time.

And into this… eyes on stalks… Bright Blue wandered into the centre of the Jozi underground resistance. The joy of the music, the rocking audience… we had arrived!

Jamesons was to become a second home. We watched great bands, soaked it up, and lost our fear of that most iconic stage. We learned to play with power and intensity, like the Joburg bands. We still wore short-sleeve shirts with boats and anchors… but hey, we were getting there. The locals still thought we were from the sticks.

But when we got on that stage, we howled like monsters — sweat pouring, the crowd roaring. We played for our very lives and souls on that stage.

For all the journalists huddled over their beers, one would have thought more would have been written about it… but perhaps it’s still a story to be told.

Run by a guy called Herman, it always felt warm and hospitable — a sort of secret meeting place for all the good people. The bands were well treated, and we were there even when not playing. We went to see each other play. We were friends, even if we pretended each other’s bands were shit.

But there was no pretence about the Lurchers — they owned the place. James Phillips ordering a toasted takeaway is a moment I’ll remember forever.

There were interesting bands like Sankomota and Bayete — beautiful, big African bands, nothing like what we saw in Cape Town. We wanted to sound like them.

Later on, we would meet and see the Soul Brothers… but that’s for another story.

So Jammies became our home, and playing the Tandoor felt like an away match.

All these years later… only love for our favourite club in Jozi. And the best part is that many of you Jammersons jollers were at our Brass Bell gig a few months back — 42 years later.

To you, I love each and every one of you, and thank you for sticking with us through it all.

by Ian Cohen