Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
The Blue Ricks were based in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and were one of the area’s best-known professional dance bands during the 1960s. They became widely recognised as the resident band at the Himalaya Hotel in Grey Street, one of the city's leading entertainment venues. Their popularity stemmed from regular performances at weekend dances, weddings, banquets, social functions and hotel engagements, where they entertained audiences with a versatile repertoire that included ballroom music, Latin rhythms, rock-and-roll, British beat hits, pop standards and instrumental favourites. The band was particularly popular within Durban's Indian community, although its appeal extended well beyond a single audience.
Unlike many South African beat groups that concentrated on recording, the Blue Ricks built their reputation primarily as a live performance band. Their standing in Durban's entertainment scene was recognised when Diamondtone Records released the live LP “The Blue Ricks Alive!” (DMT 1007) in 1969, preserving the atmosphere and musicianship that made them one of KwaZulu-Natal's leading dance orchestras. As far as is known, this is the only album or 7” single that they released.
Although complete personnel records have not survived, several members have been positively identified from contemporary and historical sources:
1. Henry Paul - double bass
2. Lionel Peters - piano
3. Brian Pillay - guitar
4. Bill Roach - Guitar (replaced Brian Pillay)
5. Morris Joseph - unknown
6. Ricky Pillay - unknown
7. Danny Pillay - unknown
8. Roy Petersen - piano, guitar and drums
Documentary evidence confirms that Henry Paul played double bass with the Blue Ricks for more than twenty years, while Lionel Peters served as one of the band's pianists. Guitarist Brian Pillay was later replaced by the accomplished Durban guitarist Bill Roach, indicating that the band maintained a changing line-up over many years while continuing as a successful professional dance band.
Although relatively little has been published about the Blue Ricks compared with South Africa's nationally famous rock groups, they occupy an important place in Durban's musical history. Alongside bands such as the Dukes Combo and Sam's Latin Kings, they helped sustain the city's vibrant dance-band tradition during the 1950s and 1960s, providing live music long before discos became widespread.
This song is from the album “The Blue Ricks Alive!”, released in 1969.
The Blue Ricks were based in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and were one of the area’s best-known professional dance bands during the 1960s. They became widely recognised as the resident band at the Himalaya Hotel in Grey Street, one of the city's leading entertainment venues. Their popularity stemmed from regular performances at weekend dances, weddings, banquets, social functions and hotel engagements, where they entertained audiences with a versatile repertoire that included ballroom music, Latin rhythms, rock-and-roll, British beat hits, pop standards and instrumental favourites. The band was particularly popular within Durban's Indian community, although its appeal extended well beyond a single audience.
Unlike many South African beat groups that concentrated on recording, the Blue Ricks built their reputation primarily as a live performance band. Their standing in Durban's entertainment scene was recognised when Diamondtone Records released the live LP “The Blue Ricks Alive!” (DMT 1007) in 1969, preserving the atmosphere and musicianship that made them one of KwaZulu-Natal's leading dance orchestras. As far as is known, this is the only album or 7” single that they released.
Although complete personnel records have not survived, several members have been positively identified from contemporary and historical sources:
1. Henry Paul - double bass
2. Lionel Peters - piano
3. Brian Pillay - guitar
4. Bill Roach - Guitar (replaced Brian Pillay)
5. Morris Joseph - unknown
6. Ricky Pillay - unknown
7. Danny Pillay - unknown
8. Roy Petersen - piano, guitar and drums
Documentary evidence confirms that Henry Paul played double bass with the Blue Ricks for more than twenty years, while Lionel Peters served as one of the band's pianists. Guitarist Brian Pillay was later replaced by the accomplished Durban guitarist Bill Roach, indicating that the band maintained a changing line-up over many years while continuing as a successful professional dance band.
Although relatively little has been published about the Blue Ricks compared with South Africa's nationally famous rock groups, they occupy an important place in Durban's musical history. Alongside bands such as the Dukes Combo and Sam's Latin Kings, they helped sustain the city's vibrant dance-band tradition during the 1950s and 1960s, providing live music long before discos became widespread.
This song is from the album “The Blue Ricks Alive!”, released in 1969.
