Rabbitt

Rabbitt is a South African pop rock band formed in Johannesburg in 1972. The band evolved from an earlier teen rock group called The Conglomeration, with founding members including Duncan Faure, Trevor Rabin, Ronnie Robot (Ronald Friedman), and Neil Cloud. Known for their blend of rock, pop, and progressive elements, Rabbitt became one of the country's most popular and influential acts throughout the 1970s, sometimes referred to as South Africa's version of The Beatles due to the adulation they inspired. Their musical style was marked by technical proficiency, intricate arrangements, and innovative use of keyboards and synthesizers. Rabbitt achieved notable chart success in South Africa, with the 1976 hit single "Charlie" reaching the top of local charts.

Background and formation

Rabbitt originated from The Conglomeration, a Johannesburg-based teen rock band in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The transition to Rabbitt marked a shift toward a more polished and ambitious sound, combining progressive rock influences from groups like Yes and Genesis with accessible pop melodies. Trevor Rabin took the lead as primary songwriter and frontman, contributing vocals, lead guitar, keyboards, and arrangements. Alongside him, Duncan Faure added vocals, keyboards, and rhythm guitar, while Ronnie Robot played bass and Neil Cloud was on drums. The band worked closely with music producer Patrick van Blerk, who helped sharpen their sound and expand their recording opportunities.

Career and Success

Between 1975 and 1977, Rabbitt released three studio albums on the Jo’Burg label, two of which ("Boys Will Be Boys" and "A Croak and a Grunt in the Night") were also issued in the United States on the Capricorn Records label. Their music featured tight musicianship and ambitious production, with songs ranging from rockers like "Hard Ride" to emotive ballads like "Lifeline." Notably, their cover of Jethro Tull's "Locomotive Breath" showcased their progressive rock influences.

Their 1976 single "Charlie" became a nationwide hit, establishing the band as a household name in South Africa. Rabbitt's popularity resulted not only from their recorded work but also their captivating live performances which generated enthusiastic fan followings, often surrounded by fervent teenage fans displaying sessions of "Rabbittmania."

Later Years and Legacy

The band disbanded in 1978 when Trevor Rabin left to pursue a solo career and eventually joined the progressive rock band Yes, with whom he achieved international acclaim in the 1980s and 1990s. Duncan Faure also embarked on a successful solo career and later joined the British band The Bay City Rollers.

Following their disbandment, the members maintained involvement in music and production. Rabbitt's influence remained strong within South Africa, remembered for their impact on the development of rock and progressive music in the country. Decades later, some members reunited for nostalgic performances and tours reconnecting with longtime fans.

Musicians

Line-up from 1975

• Trevor Rabin – vocals, lead guitar, keyboards (1972–1978)
• Ronnie Robot (Ronald Friedman) – bass guitar (1972–1978, 2024–present)
• Neil Cloud – drums (1972–1978, 2024–present)
• Duncan Faure – vocals, keyboards, guitar (1972–1978, 2024–present)

Albums

Boys Will Be Boys (1975)

Tracks:

1. "Something's Going Wrong with My Baby" (Trevor Rabin) — 4:45
2. "Savage" (Rabin) — 4:43
3. "Lifeline" (Rabin) — 6:00
4. "Locomotive Breath" (Ian Anderson) — 3:35
5. "Hard Ride" (Rabin) — 4:05
6. "Baby's Leaving" (Rabin) — 2:20
7. "Eventides" (Rabin) — 2:34
8. "Looking for the Man" (Rabin) — 4:00
9. "Death of Tulio" (Rabin) — 0:22
10. "Charlie" (Van Blerk, Rabin) — 2:35
11. "Brand New Love"(*) (Rabin) — 3:38
12. "Auld Lang Syne"(*) (Traditional) — 1:18

(*) bonus track on 2006 CD re-issue (Fresh Music)

A Croak and a Grunt in the Night (1977)

Tracks:

1. "T.C. Rabin in D-Minor" (Rabin) (0.24)
2. "I Sleep Alone" (Rabin) (2.52)
3. "'A Croak and a Grunt in the Night" (Rabin/Van Blerk) (2.37)
4. "Everybody's Cheating" (Rabin/Van Blerk) (4.10)
5. "Sugar Pie" (Rabin) (3.22)
6. "Searching" (Rabin) (4.13)
7. "Working for the People" (Rabin/Robot/Faure/Cloud) (4.21)
8. "Pollyman" (Rabin) (2.23)
9. "Schumann" (Trad. arr. Rabin) (0.21)
10. "Hold On to Love" (Rabin/Van Blerk) (4.06)
11. "Dingley's Bookshop" (Faure) (2.10) theme from a TV series
12. "Never Gonna Ruin my Life" (Rabin) (0.56)
13. "Tribal Fence" (MacKay) (3.51) featuring Margaret Singana
14. "Gift of Love" (Rabin/Van Blerk/Robot) (3.44)
15. "Lonely Loner Too" (Faure) (3.35)
16. "Take It Easy" (Rabin) (3.40)
17. "A Love You Song" (Faure) (1.46)

Musicians:

• Trevor Rabin: Vocals, guitars, piano, electric piano, harmonica, tubular bells, string arrangements, producer
• Neil Cloud: Drums, percussion
• Duncan Faure: Vocals, rhythm guitar, organ, piano
• Ronnie Robot: Bass
• Margaret Singana: Guest vocals on "Tribal Fence"
• Patric van Blerk: Producer
• Julian Laxton: Remix engineer
• Peter Thwaites and Greg Cutler: Engineers

Release information:

• 1976, Jo'Burg Records, TJL 13014
• 1977, Capricorn (USA/Canada), CP 0190

Rock Rabbitt (1977)

Tracks:

1. "Rush Hour Scores" (Faure) (5:02)
2. "Mr. Muso" (Faure) (5:14)
3. "Love in my Heart" (Faure) (3:40)
4. "Within These Words" (Faure) (3:12)
5. "Rock 'n' Roll, Part I & II" (Faure) (3:38)
6. "Getting Thru to You" (Faure) (4:08)
7. "I've Been Aware" (Faure) (6:16)
8. "Without Her Love" (Faure) (3:19)
9. "Hello and Welcome Home" (Faure) (5:38)
10. "Goodbye and So-Long" (Faure) (2:28)

Musicians:

• Duncan Faure: Vocals, guitars, keyboards
• Ronnie Robot: Bass
• Neil Cloud: Drums

Release information:

1977, JoBurg Records, TJC(X)13025

Revival

Tracks:

1. "Locomotive Breath" (Ian Anderson) (3:35) — from the album Boys Will Be Boys!
2. "Gift of Love" (Rabin/Van Blerk/Robot) (3.44) — from the album A Croak and a Grunt in the Night
3. "Getting Through to You" (Faure) (4:07) — from the album Rock Rabbitt
4. "Hard Ride" (Rabin) (4:10) — from the album Boys Will Be Boys!
5. "Lifeline" (Rabin) (5:31) — from the album Boys Will Be Boys!
6. "Searching" (Rabin) (4:09) — from the album A Croak and a Grunt in the Night
7. "T.C. Rabin in D-minor" (Rabin) (0:24) — from the album A Croak and a Grunt in the Night
8. "I Sleep Alone" (Rabin) (2:52) — from the album A Croak and a Grunt in the Night
9. "Charlie" (Rabin/Van Blerk) (2:47) — from the album Boys Will Be Boys!
10. "Morning Light" (Rabin/Faure) (3:12) — from the EP Morning Light (1977)
11. "Brand New Love" (Rabin) (3.30) — from the EP single Morning Light (1977)
12. "A Croak and a Grunt in the Night" (Rabin/Van Blerk) (2:37) — from the album A Croak and a Grunt in the Night
13. "Everybody's Cheating" (Rabin/Van Blerk) (4:08) — from the album A Croak and a Grunt in the Night
14. "Hold On to love" (Rabin/Van Blerk) (4:04) — from the album A Croak and a Grunt in the Night
15. "Tribal Fence" (MacKay) (3.51) featuring Margaret Singana — from the album A Croak and a Grunt in the Night

Release information:

1987, PVB Music, PVBR 1007A

The Collection / The Hits

Tracks:

1. "Hard Ride" (Rabin) (4:10) — from the album Boys Will Be Boys!
2. "Charlie" (Rabin/van Blerk) (2:47) — from the album Boys Will Be Boys!
3. "Lonely Loner Too" (Faure) (3:34) — from the album A Croak and a Grunt in the Night
4. "Searching" (Rabin) (4:09) — from the album A Croak and a Grunt in the Night
5. "Dingley's Bookshop" (Faure) (2:11) — from the album A Croak and a Grunt in the Night
6. "Locomotive Breath" (Ian Anderson) (3:35) — from the album Boys Will Be Boys!
7. "Baby's Leaving" (Rabin) (2:23) — from the album Boys Will Be Boys!
8. "Pollyman" (Rabin) (2:22) — from the album A Croak and a Grunt in the Night
9. "T.C. Rabin in D-minor" (Rabin) (0:24) — from the album A Croak and a Grunt in the Night
10. "I Sleep Alone" (Rabin) (2:52) — from the album A Croak and a Grunt in the Night
11. "A Croak and a Grunt in the Night" (Rabin/van Blerk) (2:37) — from the album A Croak and a Grunt in the Night
12. "Morning Light" (Rabin/Faure) (3:12) — from the EP single Morning Light (1977)
13. "Schumann" (Trad. arr. Rabin) (0:24) — from the album A Croak and a Grunt in the Night
14. "Hold On to love" (Rabin/van Blerk) (4:04) — from the album A Croak and a Grunt in the Night
15. "Take It Easy" (Rabin) (3:40) — from the album A Croak and a Grunt in the Night
16. "Lifeline" (Rabin) (5:31) — from the album Boys Will Be Boys!
17. "I Was Eleven" (Faure), (3:10) — from the EP single 1972–1978 (1978)
18. "Everybody's Cheating" (Rabin/van Blerk) (4:08) — from the album A Croak and a Grunt in the Night
19. "Savage" (Rabin) (4:43) — from the album Boys Will Be Boys!
20. "Getting Through to You" (Faure) (4:07) — from the album Rock Rabbitt
21. "Auld Lang Syne Rock" (Trad. arr. Rabin) (1:21) — B-side of "Morning Light" single (1977)
22. "A Love You Song" (Faure) (1:43) — from the EP single Morning Light (1977)

Release information:

• 1992 (as The Collection), ON records, RABCD1
• 1996 (as The Hits), Gallo, CDRED 602

The Extended Plays (EPs)

• Rock 'n' Roll, Volume 2 (4-track EP, 1977) Capricorn, 2206 201 (Brazil)

Something's Going Wrong With My Baby

Life Line

Locomotive Breath

Eventides

• Morning Light (4-track EP, 1977) JoBurg Records, TJS57

Morning Light

A Love You Song

Brand New Love

When You're Without Her

• 1972–1978 Limited Souvenir Edition (4-track EP, 1978) JoBurg Records, TJM73

Rock 'N Roll Part One & Two

I Was Eleven

Locomotive Breath

Goodbye And So-Long

The Singles

• Locomotive Breath [3:00] (Ian Anderson, prod. Patric van Blerk, arr. Fransua Roos) / And The Planets Danced (1972) MAP, MP.513 Springbok No. 18 in January 1973
• Backdoor of my Heart / Share the Loving Things (1973) JoBurg Records
• Hallelujah Sunrise / Hidden Feelings (1973) JoBurg Records
• Yesterday's Papers / B-side unknown (1974) JoBurg Records
• Charlie / Looking for the Man (1976) JoBurg Records, TJS35 Springbok No. 14 in June 1976
• Hard Ride / Baby's Leaving (1976) JoBurg Records, TJS46
• Hold on to Love / Working for the People (1976) JoBurg Records, TJS49
• Sugar Pie / Dingley's Bookshop (1976) JoBurg Records, TJS51
• Eventides / Charlie (1977) Victor, VIP-2526 (Japan)
• Everybody's Cheating / Gift of Love (1977) Victor, VIP-2561 (Japan)
• Hold on to Love / Working for the People (1977) Capricorn, CPS 0281 (USA)
• Morning Light / Auld Lang Syne Rock (1977) JoBurg Records, TJS57 Springbok No. 15 in September 1977
• Gettin' Thru to You (Teenage Love) / Hello and Welcome Home (1977) JoBurg Records, TJS64 Springbok No. 15 in December 1977

External links

• M-Net's Carte Blanche profile "Rabbitt Rules"
• Rabbitt at the South African Rock Encyclopedia