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Musical cheers
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November 14, 2009
By Billy Ryan
GARY McKENZIE, one-third of Durban's Gee Jays singing trio, currently performing in the Who's Your Daddy supper show at Hillcrest's Heritage Theatre, chats to BILL RYAN about what he likes and loathes about the music scene.
What is your favourite song of the moment?
Hey Jude by The Beatles. It's in the show and I forgot what a great song it was.
The last album you bought - and why?
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars by David Bowie. I have all his albums on vinyl. Now I'm collecting the digital masters.
All-time fave songs?
Ventura Highway by America (gives me a feeling of freedom); The Christmas Song (reminds me of fond childhood memories); and Sting's Fragile (we all need to be a little more caring).
What do you consider to be three of the finest albums ever made?
Focus's Live At The Rainbow. Pink Floyd's Dark Side of The Moon. Michael Franks's Sleeping Gypsies.
Song you hate most?
Agadoo by Black Lace. I have always hated it.
What do you rate as the worst song in history?
Simply the Best. Simply not.
Song you most associate with your teen years?
School's Out by Alice Cooper. I hated school.
The size of your CD collection and the artists represented most there?
I have more than 2 000 CDs. Most are replacements of my vinyl collection (1 500 records). A wide range of genres and artists - from heavy rock to Frank Sinatra. Enya and Andrea Boccelli.
Local artist that you most admire?
Guitarist Barry Thomson. He's right up there with the best. Time he produced his own album. His own songs.
Artists from abroad that you most admire?
Sting. Came through the hard way. Not easy being a milkman in Newcastle in winter.
The most over-rated person in the recording business?
Steve Hofmeyr.
Music act you'd give the world to see perform live? Queen. I had tickets for the band's Sun City concert years ago, but Freddie Mercury lost his voice. Damn!
Ever asked someone for an autograph?
Stevie Wonder, but I ended up getting only half of it. He wrote on the table. Not the paper.
What music acts have you seen live - and truly loved?
Eric Clapton (Rio in 1990), Sting (Durban in the mid-90s), Dobie Gray (Durban, in1974); and Paul Simon (Durban in the early 90s).
The greatest singing star of all time?
Al Jarreau. There's simply no other voice on the planet quite like it.
Who do rate as the best musician ever?
Alan Parsons.
What is the finest of all bands?
The Beatles. I've been listening to their music for over 40 years and I'm still discovering things there.
Styles of music you most enjoy? And least enjoy?
I love jazz. It's honest and from the heart. Least? Cheap country.
What is the most embarrassing album in your collection - and why is it there?
Owdam (Oldham) Edge by The Oldham Tinkers. It's my grandma's record. I took it home when I was 7 and begun to enjoy it. Real old colloquial North Country tunes. Not for everyday consumption. Granny has passed on, bless her soul.
The one song that will always be guaranteed to get you on to a dancefloor?
Dancing In The Moonlight.
What CD have you bought and then wished you hadn't - and why?
Neil Diamond's Home Before Dark. It is just too sad and soulful. Not like his usual music at all.
Funeral song choice?
It would have to be Nature Boy by Nat King Cole.
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