The Barnyard Theatre in partnership with Luvroc Entertainment and LM Radio proudly present THE STACCATOS REVIVAL.

The band features the legendary founder, Brian Le Gassick (Guitar Vocals) and the phenomenal Steve Ashley (a former Lead Vocalist of the Staccatos on vocals again They are backed by a four piece supporting band consisting of Connie Bentlage (Keyboards Saxophone Vocals) Mias Lotz ( Trevor Muller Bass Guitar) and Jaco Smit (Lead Guitarist) The band was formed by Brian Le Gassick in 1961 while he was studying at Damelin College During 1962 and 1963 the band played many sessions and other gigs around Johannesburg and the Reef

In the latter part of 1963 a competition, which became known as the “Beatles Of South Africa”, was organised and the band played together with many other groups at cinemas in the East Rand, throughout Johannesburg and also in the West Rand All the competing bands would appear before interval and the main feature movie This culminated in the finals featuring 4 bands at the Colosseum Theatre in Johannesburg in April of 1964

The Staccatos won and part of the prize was a recording contract with EMI SA’s first Super Group “Come back Silly Girl” entered the charts on 17 December 1965 and reached the number two position on the Springbok Hit Parade. The song put the Band on the map, as this was also their first chart topper.

The Staccato’s entered the Springbok Radio hit parade in August 1968 (50 years ago) with the Terry Dempsey composition ‘Butchers and Bakers’. ‘B&B’ spent 10 weeks on the chart peaking at number 2. A few months later Billy Forrest took them into the Studio and recorded ‘Cry to me.’

The song went to #1 and spent 38 weeks on the chart during 1969!!!. No other local or international hit featured on Springbok Radio hit parade could ever improve on this exceptional chart run of 38 weeks. The song’s popularity surged after The Staccato’s had performed the song live in the controversial movie ‘Katrina’.

We wonder if anyone knows how many copies of the single were sold in SA in the late sixties/early seventies? They were the first Band in SA to receive four Gold Records for ‘Cry to me’, for sales in excess of 400 000 at the time. The Band also received a Sarie award in 1970 as "Top Beat Group“.

The Band disbanded at the end of 1999. To this day, most radio stations still play this monster hit, and it’s a crowd favourite at any function.