The Legendary Jeremy Taylor Looks Back

Date: 09 March 2011
Article: Madoda Ntuli
Picture : Supplied

JEREMY TAYLOR: “Ag Pleez Daddy” - 50 Years On
The beautiful, intimate little theatre at Foxwood House in Houghton is soon to host a legend; the man that South Africans took to their heart – despite the fact that his biggest hit song was rapidly banned by the government of the day. Or maybe because of it!
We ask the man himself what his new show will be about: “About an hour and a half,” Jeremy replies with the usual elfish twinkle in his eye.

In many ways, it will be a nostalgia trip, affording audiences a live performance of Jeremy’s greatest and most loved hit songs of the 60s and 70s – songs such as “Lift Girl’s Lament”, “Ballad of the Southern Suburbs”, “Transplant Calypso”, and “We’re From the Northern Side of Town”…
And, of course, the crowd-pleasing “Ag Pleez Deddy”. Clearly, there’s no way that the audience will allow the well-loved folk singer to leave the theatre without performing that celebrated ditty...
We will also be hearing the beloved songster’s newer work, and be regaled by anecdotes and stories of his life then and now, in his customary dry and witty style. Like a true folk singer, he will perform his songs ‘unplugged’ on his acoustic guitar.

“Yes, it will be a matter of something old something new,” Jeremy continues. “As usual, my appearances are a personal exploration, and since it is now exactly 50 years since the release of “Ag Pleez, Deddy”, there will inevitably be some reflection on how and why these songs of mine bubbled up to the surface, and what relevance they have, if any, to the South Africa that has emerged from those madcap days of tears and laughter. This may turn out to be more of a ‘Jeremy Taylor at home’ rather than ‘back in town’.”
And how does he feel about returning to South Africa? “I am both excited and nervous!” he laughs. “The years spent living and working there – 20 in all – were so intense. Nowhere else have I experienced such a sense of physicality; such a lust for life. To share that feeling, I wrote songs, and whenever I sing them, the feeling comes back. I guess that means I'll have to keep singing!” he concludes with a roguish grin.

Bookings to be made directly with Foxwood House at 011 486 0935.
But hurry, as there are only four shows!

VENUE: Foxwood House, 13 5th Street, Houghton
DATES: Saturday 26 March at 8pm
Sunday 27 March at 12 noon
Saturday 02 April at 8pm
Sunday 03 April at 12 noon
TICKETS: R150, including welcome cocktail