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.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.
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.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. "
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 (title song of film 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
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