Radio Rats - ZX Dan (Official Video)

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'ZX Dan' is still considered one of South Africa's greatest pop rock songs of all time. In "The SA Rock Digest/Amuzine End Of The Century Big Vote" held at the end of 1999, 'ZX Dan' received the second most number of votes in the "All time favourite SA song" category, just behind Bright Blue's classic, 'Weeping'. The song is taken from the groups 1978 debut "Into The Night We Slide", and is the album's opening track. A wonderful piece of new wave space-rock whose similar lyrical theme is a nod to David Bowie's 1972 smash hit, 'Starman'. The song was also inspired by the 1977 Stephen Spielberg film 'Close Encounters Of The 3rd Kind', and has a more polished production than the rest of the album, which is a closer reflection of the band's raw live energy.
'ZX Dan' was released as a single (backed by 'I'm In Love') and it entered the Radio 5 (now 5FM) charts at number 15 on New Year's Eve 1978. The song implores the listener to "turn up your radio, and play me that rock and roll", and it seems that is exactly what the public did. The song scuttled up the charts until peaking at No. 2 on 28 January 1979, where it stayed for two weeks. It was kept off the cherished No. 1 spot by Michael Jackson.
All the songs on 'Into The Night We Slide' were generally written by Handley in the Wimpy Bar, The Palladium, and a cafe in Springs. The album contains references to some very weird and wonderful characters and places, based on his observations of life in this East Rand town. 'Plague Cafe' is about a real place on 3rd Street and 'A Visit To The Cinema' is a reference to the old movie house 'The Palladium'.
Brian Currin/ Cape Town, November 2002
RADIO RATS:
/ radiorats
NEXT MUSIC:
/ next-music
/ nextmusicza
/ next_music_south_africa
#RadioRats #ZXDan #NextMusicSouthAfrica
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Released: Oct 1, 1978
℗ 2013 Jonathan Handley under exclusive licence to Next Music

[@SandsDolphin]

I love, love, looooooove this song. And I grew up in the town (Nigel), next to Springs, where they come from! Classic SA Rock!

[@next_music]

Cheers SandsDolphin!

[@beenthere7962]

I did my initial pilot training in the SAAF at CFS Dunnottar in 1981. I remember that area well!!

[@rautierautenbach8485]

Some of this country's finest.....when we lived in an unforgettable era.....😢

[@shanewhitter4553]

I used to race off-road in the 80s and 90s and as soon as I had settled into my rhythm this song would pop into my head and I would be singing it out loud inside my helmet. I sounded great LOL This is a song that stays with you forever!

[@steveleroux6116]

Great boys, had the pleasure of meeting them 🎉

[@lesliepieterse1072]

Heard this awesome song on my way to work this morning. MIX FM 93.8 they rock.

[@pheebsbee1280]

RIP Herbie Parkin (bass player and long term Radio Rat)

[@rowanirvine-roberts7005]

Absolute legends!!

[@markvandenberg7572]

Brilliant music

[@pw5036]

Sweet memories of the hood!

[@premierhoner614]

Lekker zol music.......

[@ianray8107]

Still have the original LP still a great track

[@lesleysmith9143]

Takes me back to my enjoyable teens!!! Awesome band!!

[@odinslair]

Classic performance

[@errolfellows409]

Takes me back a tad! COOOOL!

[@DaveBirk-ie3xr]

Wish I was at the Riebiek hotel right now.

[@steveleroux6116]

So good great to have met you

[@TheNamPilot]

From a Springs joller - Those were the days!

[@steveleroux6116]

Great song, one hit wonder pity Jackson keep them off the top spot in the charts

[@StuartMcGurn]

I asked him for a job in his record and tape (no CDs then) in Springs, nextdoor to the Kine 400 (our only cinema )

[@steveleroux6116]

Jackson keep them off the top spot

[@sorettaroos1139]

1988

[@barrymartin7085]

Ahead of their time....

[@PaulTerry-l8x]

Orsum 🎶