The Flames

For the R&B singing group led by James Brown and Bobby Byrd, see The Famous Flames. For the novel by Olaf Stapledon, see The Flames: A Fantasy.

The Flames
The Flames in the 1960s. From left: Brother Fataar, Ricky Fataar, Blondie Chaplin, and Steve Fataar.
The Flames in the 1960s. From left: Brother Fataar, Ricky Fataar, Blondie Chaplin, and Steve Fataar.
Background information
OriginDurban, South Africa
Genres
Years active1962–1970, 2000, 2011
Past members
Steve Fataar (1962–1970, 2000, 2011)
Brother Fataar (1962–1970)
Ricky Fataar (1962–1970, 2000, 2011)
Blondie Chaplin (1967–1970, 2000, 2011)
George Fabre (1962)
Eugene Champion (1962–1963)
Edries Fredericks (1963–1966)
Mitchell "Baby" Duval (1966–1967)
Simon Pontin (2000)

The Flames were a South African musical group formed in 1962,[1] with their best-known lineup consisting of guitarists and vocalists Steve Fataar and Blondie Chaplin, bassist Edries "Brother" Fataar, and drummer Ricky Fataar. Considered one of the most influential and unique bands of 1960s South Africa,[2] they stood out with their blend of soul and rock music, Indian background, and music, which was centered around albums and covers rather than singles and original songs.[3] Their 1968 cover of The Impressions' "For Your Precious Love" reached #1 on the domestic charts and is their most popular song.[2]

They performed across London in the late 1960s, where they met Brian Jones, Keith Moon, Keith Richards, Jerry Garcia, Miles Davis and Carl Wilson. They later traveled to Los Angeles to record an album for The Beach Boys' record label Brother Records in 1970, for which they changed their name to The Flame.[4] The group disbanded shortly afterward, with Blondie Chaplin and Ricky Fataar subsequently joining the Beach Boys,[5] but reunited for performances in 2000 and 2011.

  1. ^ Jackson, Leon. "The Flames". Allmusic. Retrieved 19 June 2013.
  2. ^ a b "The Flames burn brightly 50 years on thanks to 'For Your Precious Love'". MUSIC LEGENDS OF CAPE TOWN. 5 March 2017. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  3. ^ "The Flames Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  4. ^ "Reigniting the Flames". The Mail & Guardian. 17 January 2011. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
  5. ^ "Blondie Chaplin Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 July 2023.