Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The Bobby Hendricks Sound, also known as the Bobby Hendricks Band, was a South African instrumental group led by saxophonist Robert Stuart “Bobby” Hendricks, and became known as the “King of Langarm,”. He was born on 7 February 1936 in Caledon, a town in the Overberg region of South Africa, and he began his musical career in the 1950s, performing with the Kay Simmers Orkes, a well-known Afrikaans dance band. Despite having no formal musical training and being unable to read or write music, Hendricks possessed a natural ear for melody and arrangement which gave him the vision to develop a sound of his own. He achieved this when he formed The Bobby Hendricks Sound which would go on to become a fixture in Cape Town’s dance scene for over three decades.
The Bobby Hendricks Sound built its reputation performing “Langarm”, a genre of South African social dance music named for the style of dancing (“long arm” or “straight arm”). The genre blends elements of big-band swing, ballroom, and boeremusiek (traditional Afrikaans folk music), producing a light, upbeat sound ideal for dancing. The band played only instrumental music, with Bobby taking the lead the lead on saxophone. His melodies were supported by a tight rhythm section, usually featuring guitar, bass, drums, and sometimes keyboard or accordion. This combination created a distinctive Cape musical style that resonated strongly within the Cape Coloured community, where the band built a deeply loyal following.
From the 1960s through the 1990s, The Bobby Hendricks Band performed extensively at weddings, dance halls, community events, and festivals. While they never achieved major commercial radio success, their popularity was undeniable, and they became synonymous with joyful, family-friendly entertainment that brought people together.
In the early 1980s, Hendricks released his first record, and over the following 20 years, the band recorded a series of albums that became staples in South African households. They earned five gold records, an impressive achievement for a regional dance group. One of their signature tracks was a saxophone rendition of “Give Me Hope, Joanna,” showcasing Hendricks’s ability to make any melody uniquely his own. The band operated like a tight-knit orchestra, with a rotating lineup of talented players, with the following being notable collaborators:
1. Steven Martin – a lead guitarist who played with the band in later years and also formed a follow-up group to continue Bobby Hendrick’s legacy.
2. Robbie Smith – a long-time guitarist who helped keep the band’s music alive after Bobby’s passing.
Bobby Hendricks passed away in Cape Town on 7 March 1999, aged 63, due to kidney failure. His funeral was one of the largest ever held in the Overberg region, drawing crowds of fans, musicians, and community members - a reflection of his beloved status.
In 2000, the Western Cape Department of Environmental and Cultural Affairs posthumously honoured Hendricks for his contribution to the arts. The award was accepted by his widow, Coee Hendricks. His hometown of Caledon also honoured him by naming a street after him.
Hendricks turned the humble saxophone into a voice of celebration, unity, and local pride. His sound endures—not just on old records, but in the memories of the countless people who danced to his music.
This song is from the album "My Love", released in 1989. I'm aware of 10 albums that the band released, but it is more than likely that there are quite a few more.
The Bobby Hendricks Sound, also known as the Bobby Hendricks Band, was a South African instrumental group led by saxophonist Robert Stuart “Bobby” Hendricks, and became known as the “King of Langarm,”. He was born on 7 February 1936 in Caledon, a town in the Overberg region of South Africa, and he began his musical career in the 1950s, performing with the Kay Simmers Orkes, a well-known Afrikaans dance band. Despite having no formal musical training and being unable to read or write music, Hendricks possessed a natural ear for melody and arrangement which gave him the vision to develop a sound of his own. He achieved this when he formed The Bobby Hendricks Sound which would go on to become a fixture in Cape Town’s dance scene for over three decades.
The Bobby Hendricks Sound built its reputation performing “Langarm”, a genre of South African social dance music named for the style of dancing (“long arm” or “straight arm”). The genre blends elements of big-band swing, ballroom, and boeremusiek (traditional Afrikaans folk music), producing a light, upbeat sound ideal for dancing. The band played only instrumental music, with Bobby taking the lead the lead on saxophone. His melodies were supported by a tight rhythm section, usually featuring guitar, bass, drums, and sometimes keyboard or accordion. This combination created a distinctive Cape musical style that resonated strongly within the Cape Coloured community, where the band built a deeply loyal following.
From the 1960s through the 1990s, The Bobby Hendricks Band performed extensively at weddings, dance halls, community events, and festivals. While they never achieved major commercial radio success, their popularity was undeniable, and they became synonymous with joyful, family-friendly entertainment that brought people together.
In the early 1980s, Hendricks released his first record, and over the following 20 years, the band recorded a series of albums that became staples in South African households. They earned five gold records, an impressive achievement for a regional dance group. One of their signature tracks was a saxophone rendition of “Give Me Hope, Joanna,” showcasing Hendricks’s ability to make any melody uniquely his own. The band operated like a tight-knit orchestra, with a rotating lineup of talented players, with the following being notable collaborators:
1. Steven Martin – a lead guitarist who played with the band in later years and also formed a follow-up group to continue Bobby Hendrick’s legacy.
2. Robbie Smith – a long-time guitarist who helped keep the band’s music alive after Bobby’s passing.
Bobby Hendricks passed away in Cape Town on 7 March 1999, aged 63, due to kidney failure. His funeral was one of the largest ever held in the Overberg region, drawing crowds of fans, musicians, and community members - a reflection of his beloved status.
In 2000, the Western Cape Department of Environmental and Cultural Affairs posthumously honoured Hendricks for his contribution to the arts. The award was accepted by his widow, Coee Hendricks. His hometown of Caledon also honoured him by naming a street after him.
Hendricks turned the humble saxophone into a voice of celebration, unity, and local pride. His sound endures—not just on old records, but in the memories of the countless people who danced to his music.
This song is from the album "My Love", released in 1989. I'm aware of 10 albums that the band released, but it is more than likely that there are quite a few more.
