Kitwe Band Memoirs

From Great North Road

By Nicky Kontou.

In the early 60’s we decided to start a skiffle group, it consisted of myself (Nicky Kontou) Chris Renalds, Chris’s cousin from Luanshya (don’t remember his name) and Pat Forde.

We practised for a few weeks but that’s as far is it got. The band didn’t get going.

After I learned a few cords on the guitar, Chris Charalambidies and I started a Greek trio with an older Greek chap (I think his name was Andrea) with myself on the guitar, Chris on drums and Andrea on the accordion. We played at Greek functions across the Copperbelt, mostly at the Greek Hall in Kitwe. The band went for about a year then it split up when Andrea left Northern Rhodesia.

Greek trio.

Greek Trio L-R: Nicky Kontou, Andrea, Chris Charalambidies.

In 1963 a few school friends got together and formed a band. Derek Klenwick on Bass Guitar, Charlie Johnstone on Lead Guitar, Chris Charalambidies on Drums, Nicky Kontou on Rhythm Guitar, Graham Boyle (Vocals). Our manager was Derek’s sister Rhona. We practised mostly in the Greek Hall. Rhona decided on the band’s name “The Blue Jays”.

We got a few songs and tunes together, like “Johnny B Good” “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” and “Pick a Bail of Cotton” (don’t cringe Graham, they were the good old days). We thought we were superstars the day we went to the music shop (Melody Centre?), across from the OK Bazaars, and bought matching solid electric guitars. Rhona would drive the band everywhere in her small car, including the instruments. We got a spot in the Astra Cinema, before the movie and during the interval. All we got a few claps but no screams or knickers thrown at us.

The band went on to play at a few venues in Kitwe among them the Greek Hall and the Scout Hall. The band went on until mid 1964 and split up. We all went on to start other bands.

Blue Jays.

The Blue Jays

L-R: Derek Klenwick, Chris Reynalds, Chris Charalambidies, Graham Boyle, Nicky Kontou, Charlie Johnstone. (Session at the Greek Hall in Kitwe).

The next band that was formed was “The Planets” (1964- August1968) Kerry Burns (Bass guitar) Stuart Burns (Drums/Main Vocals), Peter Boshart (Lead Guitar) Nicky Kontou (Rhythm Guitar/Vocals)

We played at various sessions across the Copperbelt, among them the Mufulira Mine Club, Kitwe Greek Hall , Anglican Church Hall, The Kitwe Playing Fields, The Kitwe Mine Club and The St Tropez at Parklands in Kitwe, to name but a few. In the early days of the band we played a lot of the Shadows numbers.

We appeared on Zambian Television; I think the programme was “Spinalong,” After we won a band contest (thanks to my sister Soulla and Cathy Thompson to name a few, for all the hard work they put into it). The big prize? The guitarists got a set of strings and the drummer a pair of drum sticks. Wow!

We also played at the Agricultural show grounds in a band competition sponsored by Piano House Ltd. Our drummer Stuart got a prize for best drummer. As we were the first band on, our instruments were already on stage, some nasty person must have tampered with all our guitars before we went on. Needless to say there was a mad panic to get them all tuned before we could start playing. So if who ever did it is out there, naughty.

When Peter left Zambia we got Johnny Peluwe (Spelling?) on Lead Guitar. When Johnny left, Kevin Mason joined us to play Lead Guitar and Geoff Cairns (Spelling?) joined us to play Drums so that Stuart Burns could be front man on vocals.

We played at a dance marathon held at the Kitwe Playing Fields. It lasted from the Friday night to the Sunday. There were four bands that took part. The bands decided to do one hour sessions, by Saturday it was down to half hour, and by Sunday it was like a jam session, guys playing with different bands and someone else’s instruments. No one was caring by then, the fittest just played on. My fingers were bleeding, my back and legs aching from playing so long.

If your band was one that also took part or if you took part in the dancing or if you are the couple or know the couple who won the contest, let me know.

The Planets played a session at the “Venture Cruiser Motel” Lake Kariba. What a crowd and what a night that was! There were people coming across in boats from the Rhodesian side of the Lake. Whilst we were playing we could see their lights coming across the lake, what a beautiful sight.

The gang that was with the band was: Peter Bromfield, Hazel and Pat Taylor, and I think Trish and Kate Seville. We all had a great time. The good old days hey? If anyone else remembers being there that weekend let me know.

May 1966 I went on holiday to the UK and came back with all the top 12 hits of the time. Songs like “Substitute” “Pretty Flamingo” and “Wild Thing” We were playing the top ten hits before they even came out to Zambia.

We played at a New Years dance in Chingola one year and Butch Van Heerden also played at the same dance with his band, it was a trio, his mother also played in his band. They were a very good dance band.

June 1966 “The Planets” played in a band contest at the OB Bennett Hall in Kitwe. The band members were: Stuart Burns (Lead Vocals), Kevin Mason (Lead Guitar), Kerry Burns (Bass Guitar), Geoff Cairns (Drums), and Nicky Kontou (Rhythm Guitar/Vocals).

I can’t recall the other bands that entered the contest at that time.

Some of the bands that I remember from the Copperbelt were: The Outlaws, The Thunder Birds, The Gentle People, The Ramblers, and The Fortunes and of course The Blue Jays and The Planets.

I also remember when Mickie Most and The Playboys came from SA to play at the OB Bennett Hall in the mid 60’s.

The Planets.

The Planets at a rock band competition at the Agricultural Grounds Kitwe.

L-R: Kerry Burns, Stuart Burns, Nicky Kontou, Peter Boshart

The Planets.

The Planets at band practice at the Kitwe Flying Club 1966 L-R

Geoff Cairns, Johnny Pelew, Kerry Burns, Stuart Burns, Nicky Kontou.

The Planets.

The Planets at a rock band contest at the OB Bennett Hall 1966.

L-R: Geoff Cairns, Kerry Burns, Stuart Burns, Nicky Kontou, Kevin Mason.

Some of the guys that were also involved at some stage with The Planets: Colin Earl (Vocals), Dave Bridges (Vocals), Raymond Wood (keyboards), Peter Bromfield (road manager) and Billy McCluskey (road manager)

If I have left anyone out please forgive me as my memory is not what it used to be.