Four Jacks and a Jill (2024)

The Four Jacks and a Jill must be the longest running group in SA's pop history. Four Jacks and Jill have, as such, been going since 1966 although the FJ & J history goes back to 1962 when FJ & J bassist Clive Harding formed a group with Graham Woods, a friend of his. Graham Woods died in a car accident shortly afterwards.

In 1964, after 29 personnel changes, Clive Harding finally settled on Tony Hughes (drums), Bruce Bark (lead-guitar, vocals), and Keith Andrews (rhythm guitar, organ). He named the group the Nevadas. Bobby Fraser (vocals) and Julian Laxton joined briefly before the group renamed itself as the Zombies. Now Johnny Collini had taken over on the vocals.

Glenys Lynne (Mynott) came into their life when the Zombies were engaged to back her on the Dickie Loader Show in Cape Town, in 1964. Glenys Lynne had already made a name for herself as a solo-cabaret singer. She had been singing since the age of 15, when she won a national "Search for Talent" contest. She had sung with the Harold Roy Band, on leaving school, and toured SA and Zimbabwe with Johnny Kongos and the G-Men. Glenys Lynne had already had a film role to her credit in "Jy's Lieflike Vanaand" in, 1962. Following the Dickie Loader Show, Glenys Lynne joined the Zombies and, in 1965, they supported Peter and Gordon on their SA tour.

From Nevadas to The Zombies to Four Jacks and a Jill (1962 - 1966)

Although the group was formally established in November 1965, Four Jacks and a Jill's history can be traced back to October 1962 when 18-year old guitarist Clive Harding headed his group The Nevadas, which he formed with a friend of his, Graham Woods. The initial line up included band members Til Hanneman (rhythm guitar/trumpet), John Brooker (drums), Clive Harding (bass guitar) and Graham Woods (lead guitar). John Brooker left the group and was replaced by John Travis. Returning from their first gig at Salt Rock on New Year's Day 1963, Graham was involved in a car accident. He died in hospital twelve days later from his injuries. Deeply shocked, Clive decided to give up the idea of a beat group. However, the memory of Graham's enthusiasm and ambition to become one of the country's top groups, changed his mind. The trio became a quartet when they were joined by drummer Billy Stofberg, who replaced John Travis, and Tony Rampling who took the place of Graham Woods as lead guitarist. Bobby Fraser joined the band in the capacity of vocalist.

The Nevadas underwent several band member changes before its demise in June 1964. Myles Forsyth (lead guitar) who replaced Tony Rampling, was himself replaced by Bruce Bark (lead guitar, sax, harmonica, vocals); Bobby Fraser was replaced by Peter Foyn (vocals) and then by Johnny Collini (vocals); Billy Stofberg was replaced by Tony Hughes (drums) and Til Hanneman was replaced by Keith Andrews (rhythm guitar, organ, trumpet, sax, vocals).

In July 1964, The Nevadas renamed themselves The Zombies (not to be confused with Rod Argent's American Zombies). Band members Johnny Collini, Bruce Bark, Keith Andrews, Tony Hughes and Clive Harding all had "Beatle" haircuts and toured the Republic for a month, establishing their popularity around the country, with music critics praising their polished performances, showmanship and mature stagecraft. Their first single, "All Right, All Right" and their album, "The Zombies" (recorded for Teal) were both released in September. Shortly after recording the album, Johnny Collini departed from the group.

In October, The Zombies were signed to perform at the Luxurama Theatre in Cape Town alongside Dickie Loader and the Blue Jeans, The Settlers, and a cute, diminutive vocalist and recording artist who already had an established following of devotees and her own fan club, Glenys Lynne. Backed by The Zombies, Glenys was an instant success, her vocal stylings and The Zombies' music blending perfectly. Critics christened her "South Africa's Brightest Pop Singer".

Hailing from Boksburg, Glenys Lynne Mynott started singing at the age of twelve. Encouraged by her mother, she took singing lessons and at fifteen won a nationwide "Search For Talent" contest. Shortly afterwards, she was placed second in L.M. Radio's "Talent Parade" and, at age sixteen, cut her first album, entitled "Teenage Time", on the Columbia label. On leaving school, Glenys sang with the Harold Roy Band in Benoni for seven months. A four-month tour of the Republic with Johnny Kongos and the G-Men followed. Glenys cut her first single, "Not Because I'm Bad", on the RCA label in 1963 and after her tour with Johnny Kongos, landed a four-year contract in 1964 with Teal Records, following the success of her single. By now she had established herself as a solo/cabaret singer and already had a film role to her credit – appearing in Gordon Vorster's 1962 movie, "Jy's Lieflik Vanaand" ("You're Wonderful Tonight") in which she sang the song "'n Bietjie Te Jonk" ("A Little Too Young"). After another singing contract with Harold Roy, Luxurama offered her a contract to sing in Cape Town, with The Zombies accompanying her.

After their phenomenal popularity and success at the Luxurama, Glenys and The Zombies toured the Natal south coast. In January 1965, they supported Peter and Gordon, who had enjoyed international success with the hit, "World Without Love", on their South African tour. Glenys and The Zombies were now a permanent team. All sporting long hair by now (imitating overseas groups they admired), the band members were attacked in both the English and Afrikaans press with alarming consistency, simply for having long hair. Innuendos inferring sissiness, delinquency and even drug abuse were bandied about by "intellectual" press members. What started out as a gimmick, with long hair and an unusual name, was now becoming common place, with an increasing number of local beat bands copying The Zombies.

They opted off "the bandwagon", cut their hair and changed the band name to Four Jacks and a Jill. The name "Four Jacks and a Jill" was coined by comedian Jimmy Casanova and Zombies agent, Don Hughes. The group changed its style, technique and material, and to mark the new road taken, recorded their first single, "Jimmy Come Lately". The disc was an instant hit, reaching no. 3 spot on Record Express hit parade in January 1966 and peaking at no. 2 on Springbok Radio's Top 20 and L.M. Radio's hit parades in February. The single broke all records for a local group and enjoyed a longer run on L.M.'s hit parade than any other locally recorded disc (16 weeks). They released their first album "Jimmy Come Lately". Another single culled from this album also dented the charts: "No Other Baby" reached no. 11 on Springbok's Top 20 in June and no. 8 on the Record Express hit parade. In May 1966, Keith Andrews left the group and was replaced by band member, Marc Paulos (lead guitar/organ).

The autographs of the first line-up of Four Jacks and a Jill with thanks to Chris McLaren. From left to right, top to bottom: Tony Hughes, Bruce Bark, Keith Andrews, Glenys Lynne and Clive Harding. In the corner is Johnny Collini's autograph although he didn't become one of the Jacks after The Zombies became Four Jacks and a Jill.

Timothy, Master Jack and the World (1967 - 1971)

Four Jacks and a Jill had now established themselves as one of the country's most popular groups. They appeared at various hot spots around the country, including the Kennaway Hotel, East London. "Cookie Look" at the Claridges Hotel, Durban, The Lotus Room, Port Elizabeth, The Causerie at the Edward Hotel, Durban, Taylor's Travelodge, Johannesburg and the Coral Lounge at the Grand Hotel, Cape Town (where they broke attendance records). In June 1967, band member Marc Paulos left the group and was replaced once more by Til Hanneman (keyboards/trumpet). The group scored a minor hit when their single "The House With The White-Washed Gables" entered Springbok's Top 20 in June 1967. Four Jacks and a Jill recorded a ditty little number, written by Pretoria University theology student, "Dopper" Kobus Erasmus entitled "Timothy", for use as the theme song in the 1967 Jamie Uys movie, "The Professor And The Beauty Queen".

Their first Gold Record, presented to them by Jamie Uys.The song raced up the charts, hitting the no. 1 spot for two weeks on Springbok's Top 20 in November. It remained on the hit parade for twenty weeks and earned the group their first Gold Record, presented to them in December by Jamie Uys. Four Jacks and a Jill were the first local group to receive a Gold Disc for record sales equalling a million-seller. "Timothy", also released in England and New Zealand (where it reached no. 8) was, however, only a taste of things to come. On 5 January 1968, with "Timothy" at no. 2, their next single (written by David Marks), "Master Jack", entered the Top 20 at no. 14. History was in the making: the band became the first South African pop group to have two hits simultaneously on Springbok's Top 20 hit parade. Three weeks later, they leap-frogged this achievement when "I Looked Back" also entered the charts. Now giving them three hits in the Top 20 simultaneously. "Master Jack" enjoyed five weeks in the no. 1 position between February and March of 1968 and spent a total of 21 weeks on the charts. It reached no. 8 on Billboard's Hot 100 in the USA, no. 1 in Canada, Malaya, New Zealand and Australia, and was also popular in England, Germany, Sweden and Japan. Four Jacks and a Jill achieved the distinction of being the only South African group to have had a hit in America with a single recorded in South Africa. They received a Gold Disc (one of three) for the single's success. Ironically, the flip side of "Master Jack" was "I Looked Back" which peaked at no. 14 on the Top 20 in February, dropping from the charts after a mere three-week stay. Since the Top 20 positions were based on sales, and the impossibility of determining which song the single was being bought for, the poor showing of "I Looked Back" will forever remain a mystery, except perhaps to those who processed sales figures and reflected their results on the charts.

Glenys relates the story of "Master Jack": "In certain mines the foreman is called 'Master Jack', and the song tells the story of a labourer who works diligently for this master for years and years and the decides to go out on his own and exercise his desires and aspirations as an individual to be something other than a labourer." An anecdote about the group's overseas success with "Master Jack", unknown until the release of this CD, is related by Clive Harding: "At the time that 'Master Jack' was a hit in South Africa, Trini Lopez was touring the country. Signed to Frank Sinatra's Reprise label, Trini approached Teal M.D. Gerald McGrath for permission to record the song as well as retain world rights to it, outside of South Africa. Being an astute businessman, McGrath agreed and Toni duly recorded the song. When Four Jacks and a Jill were informed of the deal, they were disheartened – the chance for overseas exposure had been denied them."

Teal A&R man Ray Walters, furious at McGrath's "deception", stormed into his office and yelled at McGrath: "How can you do this to these kids?" Walters told McGrath that what he has done was despicable. McGrath, having seen another viewpoint, felt bad but there was (legally) unable to undo the damage. He opted for an alternative plan: McGrath contacted RCA international in New York and asked them to rush-release Four Jacks and a Jill's version in America, New Zealand, Australia, the Far East and Europe. Although he could not cancel his agreement with Reprise, he could outwit them. Frank Sinatra blew his top when he realised he had been upstaged in the States and personally phoned McGrath to berate him. Feigning innocence, McGrath explained to Sinatra that he had no jurisdiction over RCA's international territories and, thus, Four Jacks and a Jill got their longed-for break.

In March 1968, Four Jacks and a Jill were the supporting act for Canadian singer Lucille Starr and her husband Bob Regan on their South African tour. Critics were unanimous in their opinion that the Four Jacks and a Jill stole the show. The group were awarded with their second Gold Disc for "Timothy" and a third for their hit, "Master Jack". Lucille Starr was awarded a Gold Disc for sales of her popular album, "The French Song". Four Jacks and a Jill became the first local group to win three Gold Discs in under three months and sell more records than any other South African pop group. "Timothy" became the best-selling record by a South African group. The band flew to Bulawayo, Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) for the start of their Rhodesian tour and also made their television debut there. The group's second television appearance was in Salisbury (now Harare) on the Martin Locke Show. The band was awarded the biggest contract yet to be signed by a group of South African artists – a million dollar tour contract deal for an overseas tour. In May, another David Marks composition recorded by the group, "Mister Nico" reached No. 12 on the Top 20 and was well received in the United States where it entered the Hot 100. Another "first" for the group was that they were the first local pop group to record in stereo.

On 1 June 1968 Glenys and Clive were married in Durban. The group left for Hamburg, Germany on 21 June where they appeared (in colour!) on the German television programme, Schaubude. Glenys sang "Master Jack" in German to critical acclaim – a track we have included in this compilation. The group recorded interviews for TV in Holland and participated in a television movie. After a short stop-over in London where they made some television appearances, Four Jacks and a Jill left for their American tour on 2 July.

Under the auspices of American producer Ted Daryll, the group recorded a new album, Fables, at RCA's New York studios. They appeared in the WVOK Summer Spectacular alongside Herman's Hermits, The Troggs, The Ohio Express, The Buckinghams, and Boyce and Hart. The group also guested on the Jerry Lewis Telethon television show which had a viewership of 20 million people. Four Jacks and a Jill performed in Tampa, Montgomery and Birmingham, Alabama, Buffalo on Lake Eyrie, and Muskegon, Lake Michigan. In September they toured Europe for three weeks, appearing on German television and performing for American forces in Berlin, Frankfurt and Heidelberg and also appeared on television in Holland. Their "Four Jacks and a Jill" TV special that they produced in Holland, was voted one of the year's top shows by viewers. Standing ovations were the order of the day. In October Four Jacks and a Jill won the Sarie Award for the category Best Beat Group. David Marks won a Sarie for "Master Jack" which took top honours as Song Of The Year.

The band returned to America via Montreal, Canada where they appeared on television and did some gigs. Record World, a leading American publication, voted Four Jacks and a Jill "the most promising group of 1968". Cash Box, pop music's "bible", described Glenys as "the most vivacious and disarming stage personality we have ever come across." Back in the States, the group performed in Philadelphia, Alabama, Atlanta and Washington DC. In Alabama they headlined the WBAM winter show, appearing with Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, Billy Joe Royal, Davy Jones (of The Monkees), Andy Kim, The Buckinghams, The Hearts, The Grassroots and several other artists. Their newly-released single, "Hey Mister" entered Billboard's Hot 100. After some shows in Columbus, Ohio, and New York, the group toured Nova Scotia with The Sandpipers and Mitch Ryder. Throughout their overseas trip, critics in Europe and America praised the group for their unpretentious, fresh approach that was free of gimmicks, and complimented them on their neat appearance, which was in stark contrast to the untidy hippie look most bands displayed at the time. On 26 February, Four Jacks and a Jill flew to Salisbury, Rhodesia, to start a nation-wide tour of that country and South Africa with "The Four Jacks and a Jill Show", which included artists Jody Wayne, comedian Ian Hamilton, 15-year old British trumpeter Nigel Hopkins, and compere/comedian Johnny Ball.

Glenys and Clive's first daughter, Lisa, was born on 7 October 1969. The following day, Four Jacks and a Jill won the 1969 SARIE Award in the category Best Beat Group, for their recording of "Poor Lucy". In December, Bruce Bark and Til Hanneman quit the group and were replaced by Pierre van Riel (lead guitar) and Keith Lansom (piano/organ). They recorded a new album entitled Jill. With its new line up, the group kicked off 1970 with a tour of Rhodesia and Lourenco Marques (now Maputo) supported by Erica Rogers, Ian Hamilton and the Pretoria group, The Graduates. In May, the band appeared in Luanda, Angola. Shortly afterwards they departed for a two-month European tour, performing in Portugal, Spain, Holland and Germany. After returning to South Africa in July, Four Jacks and a Jill continued touring and were joined by American singer Jan Brinker, and British comedian Dave Reid. In November, when the group were booked to perform at he Luxurama Theatre in Cape Town before a multi-racial audience, they were barred from performing by the government. In hypocrisy typical of Apartheid policy at the time, the government had allowed Percy Sledge and the Coloured group, Eoan, to perform to whites, but has disallowed Afrikaans comedian Piet Pompies and Four Jacks and a Jill to perform before black audiences.

In February 1971, Four Jacks and a Jill left for a three-month tour of Australia and New Zealand. They appeared, to critical acclaim, at the Festival of Perth and while in Australia made a documentary of their travels for Volkswagen SA. The group toured Australia and New Zealand, performing on several television shoes including Bandstand, and appeared in 27 cities, among others, Melbourne, Sydney, Scarborough, Narrabri, Adelaide and Auckland. The band returned to South Africa in August and departed for a tour of Malawi in September. On their return, Four Jacks and a Jill toured South West Africa (now Namibia). In December, Cedric Hornby (piano/organ/vibes) replaced band member Keith Lansom.

Touring South Africa with their "Supershow" and making movies (1972-1983)

1972 saw the group touring South Africa and Rhodesia with their "1972 Supershow", which lasted eight months and included New Zealand groups, The Double Vision (they had a chart success with "Maori Love Song"), The Greenstones, comedian Dennis McLean and Teddy Peiro on the billing. The group performed a record-breaking 247 shows in 243 days! Culled from the souvenir album of this show are three songs, "Love Is Spreading", "The Nickel Song" and "Half And Half", which appear on the CD The Very Best Of Four Jacks and a Jill Volume 2. The song, "Half And Half", was banned by the SABC because it contained the lyrics: 'Half of the world is black and half of the world is white'. The group also made appearances in two movies: The Baby Game and The Case For Survival. They sang the theme song for "Survival" entitled, "Yes, We've All Been To The Zoo".

For bass guitarist and leader of Four Jacks and a Jill, Clive Harding, the awesome task of managing the group and acting as agent was made easier for him when Four Jacks and a Jill appointed their first manager, Van Rogers, in 1964. Van successfully managed the group through their biggest successes until 1969. Clive's father, Harold, took over managing the group until 1972.

One of the highlights of that time for the group was when millionaire Julian Sacher flew them to London, first class, to perform for one night at his parents' silver wedding anniversary at the famous Claridges Hotel. Gabriel and Jean Sacher were owners of the Marks and Spencer chain stores. The band was paid handsomely for its 40-minute performance as well as having all expenses to, in and from London taken care of. The Sachers heard the pop group and liked them enormously when they visited their son, Julian, in Cape Town 18 months earlier. Julian remembered and invited the group over for the party.

No longer under contract to a record company (the group had not renewed their contract with Teal in 1971), Clive had established an impresario/promotion company with the intention of bringing overseas talent to the country. Their "Supershow" was the first of these ventures, and another successful show, Magicapers, which starred American magician, Kajar and his wife Jean Darling, The Double Vision and Dennis McLean, kicked off a successful four month tour of South Africa and Rhodesia. In December 1972, Glenys and Clive's second child, son Dirk, was born.

1973 witnessed the group touring with their "Supershow '73" which included The Greenstones and Dennis McLean. In February, Mike Nettmann (organ/piano) replaced Cedric Hornby. Pierre van Riel was replaced for a while by Paul de Villiers (lead guitar/vocals). Four Jacks and a Jill entered the charts with their recording of "Universal Feeling", which spent 13 weeks on the charts, peaking at no. 11 on Springbok Radio's Top 20 hit parade in December. In November, Josh Sklair (guitar) had replaced band member Paul de Villiers. Along with Glenda Kemp, Al Debbo, Don Leonard, Marie du Toit, Johan du Plooy and Joe Stewardson, Four Jacks and a Jill appeared in the Dirk de Villiers comedy fliek, Pens en Pootjies. In May, the group kicked off their "Supershow '74"in Bulawayo, Rhodesia, which included New Zealand duo The Greenstones and Dennis McLean in a six-week tour of that country. In July, Glenys's recording of "Haai Casanova" (an Afrikaans version of the Vicky Leandros hit, "Hey Joe McKenzie"), reached no. 7 on Springbok's Top 20 hit parade.

In September, the group started filming on their first major movie, Ian Hamilton's suspense comedy, Sell-A-Million. Produced by Clive and directed by Ian Hamilton (who had toured with the group previously), the movie centres on the touring band, with a diamond robbery as part of the action. The film was shot in and around Johannesburg and in Rhodesia at Bulawayo, the Zimbabwe Ruins and the Victoria Falls. Co-stars included Ina Yule, Barbara Kinghorn, Clive Scott, Leonie Carnot and Frank Douglas. Supporting them were local stars Nick Taylor, Marjorie Gordon, Hugh Rouse, Richard Haines and Michael Mayer. After filming, the band entertained troops in the operational areas who were involved in the Rhodesian bush war of that time.
In September, another single by Glenys, "My Hart Het 'n Kleine Venster" (an Afrikaans version of the Peters And Lee hit, "Don't Stay Away Too Long"), reached no. 19 on Springbok's Top 20. December saw the group touring with a new billing: Glenys Lynne And The Four Jacks Show which included Australian singer, Dan Bailey, British entertainer Al Senate, and ventriloquist Dawn Berrange.

The band continued their gruelling touring schedule in 1975 and included guest artists on their show such as Nick Taylor, Gerry Grayson, Paul Andrews, Norman Scott and Louis Gave. In June, they left on a three-week tour to Europe, appearing on television in Holland, Germany and Belgium alongside stars such as Lulu, The Rubettes, Marty Feldman, Rufus and Chaka Khan. Although given much flak over Apartheid while there, the group's charm and music soon won over their critics. Their single "Sell-A-Million" entered the Dutch Top 20 hit parade. In October Mike Nettmann left the group and was replaced by Brian Rubenstein (keyboards). In November, Four Jacks and a Jill left for a seven-week tour of Rhodesia. With them were accompanying artists Dawn Berrange, comedian Harry Dickman and Gerry Grayson. So popular were the group in Rhodesia that they were implored to return again for a further tour.

Return they did, along with British comedian/singer Roy Jay, Derrick Mills and Dawn Berrange. In February 1976, with their hit, "The Warrior" at no.2 on the Rhodesian hit parade, Four Jacks and a Jill were given a royal welcome, appearing on television to the delight of their thousands of fans. Touring the operational areas in north-east Rhodesia, they donated all royalties from the sales of "The Warrior" to the Security Forces and performed free of charge. Glenys was tagged "the forces sweetheart" by the Rhodesian press. The Four Jacks and a Jill show was joined in June by guest stars Bruce Millar and Ian Lawrence. Shortly after SATV's inception, Glenys and her Four Jacks appeared as guest artists on SATV's Musikale Mallemeule, The Knicky Knacky Knoo Show, Pop Shop and the SARIE Awards. In August, Glenys achieved her biggest success as a solo artist when her Afrikaans recording of "Ramaja" hit the no. 1 spot for three consecutive weeks on Springbok's Top 20 hit parade. It spent a total of 16 weeks on the charts. Four Jacks and a Jill were voted the most popular South African group in a competition on the Afrikaans television programme, Tempo. In November, Josh was forced to leave the group owing to military service commitments. After Josh Sklair and Brian Rubenstein left - a great keyboard wizard joined them for about 3 months, his name is Glynn Storm.

In December 1976, Neill Pienaar (keyboards) replaced Glynn Storm, and John Emmott (guitar) joined the group, to complete the four Jacks. In March 1977, the band starred in their own four-part television musical variety series entitled Four Jacks and a Jill On The Move. Guest stars on their programme included British stars, Peters And Lee, Richard Loring, Clive Bruce, Barry Mason, Rob Aitkenhead, Ian Lawrence, Gerry Grayson and Caroline Hossack. The group released an album entitled On The Move with the tracks "Love Triangle", "Movin' On", "Mr Go Softly", "1.2.3.", "Kiri-e, Kiri-o" and "The Warrior".

In April, band member John Emmott left the group and was replaced by Nigel Surtees on guitar. After the demise of their television series, the group continued touring and appeared on a Rhodesian Television special, taped at the Victoria Falls Hotel. They continued touring with their show which included guests Dawn Berrange, Harry Dickman and Ian Lawrence. In October, Glenys won the SARIE Award for the category Top 20 Artist Of The Year, for her hit "Ramaja". In October, the band underwent another member change: Nigel Surtees was replaced by ex-"Jack", Pierre van Riel (lead guitar). The band was invited to appear with other South African artists, Barbara Ray, Sonja Herholdt, John Edmond, Gé Korsten and Des & Dawn on Rhodesian Television's Bless 'em All charity programme. In April 1978 the group once again toured Rhodesia, performing to sell-out capacity crowds, ten years after their first performance there. Guest stars appearing in the show included Derek Royle, Welshman David Evans, Dawn Berrange and Paul Andrews.

In June Pierre van Riel quit the band and was replaced by Paul Nissen (guitar). Four Jacks and a Jill left for a two-week concert tour of Paraguay and also appeared on television in Rio de Janeiro. The band, who were very fond of Rhodesia and involved in conservation efforts there, performed free of charge to 240 delegates at the 50th anniversary symposium at the Wankie (now Hwange) National Park in August. Entrepreneur Clive was approached to organise the 1978 Miss South Africa competition. The pageant, held in August at the Colosseum Theatre in Johannesburg, was praised by critics for its smooth-running and professional presentation. Yolanda Kloppers was crowned Miss South Africa, 1978. In December, the group opened up their Four Jacks and a Jill show at the Baxter Theatre along with Ian Lawrence and Johnny Noble. The group also featured in the Afrikaans Television programme, Plaaslike Kunstenaars.

Shamwari with from left to right Ken Gampu (Khumalo), Ian Yule (Mathews) and Tamara Franke (Tracy)In February 1980, Clive started directing the movie Shamwari (Shona for friend) which was filmed outside Salisbury. Using the Rhodesian bush-war for the background setting, the story tells of three people, two men and a woman, caught up in the war. Shamwari (in retrospect, ahead of its time) is about friendship between the races, which have grown out of adversity and hardship. The lead roles were played by black South African actor Ken Gampu (Khumalo) and Ian Yule (Mathews). Rhodesian actress, Tamara Franke (Tracy) took the female lead role. Besides Clive producing and directing the movie, Four Jacks and a Jill were also responsible for the soundtrack album. By July 1980, Paul Nissen had left the group and had been replaced by John Ferrier (lead guitar/synthesizer). In August, the group toured Zimbabwe with Ian Hamilton, John Lesley and Zimbabwean trumpeter, The Jones Boy (Bennie Bezuidenhout). In December, Neill Pienaar quit the group and was replaced by Len Dippenaar (guitar/synthesizer/vocals).

The band continued touring and doing gigs. By 1982, long-time drummer, Tony Hughes, one of the original members, had left the group and had been replaced by Mossie (Christopher) Hills. In 1983 Glenys and husband Clive became born-again Christians. They dedicated their lives and music to the Lord and, after recording a Gospel album in 1983, Clive disbanded the group. Four Jacks and a Jill remains South Africa's longest-running pop group. Both Clive and Glenys are still active on the Gospel music scene. In 1986 Glenys recorded a gospel album, Here U Is Wonderbaar. In August 1988, Glenys and Clive's third child, daughter Aimee was born.

Clive has a television production house, Genesis Sound, where he works with John Ferrier, producing music and documentary programs for television. Daughter Lisa contributes to the vocals used in the productions and son Dirk is a lighting cameraman. Tony Hughes has established himself as a successful executive in the insurance world and lives near Johannesburg. Josh Sklair, also a reborn Christian, is a successful session musician in Hollywood. Paul de Villiers has done well for himself as a musician in Canada, where he has worked with country star Anne Murray and rock group "Yes". Bruce Bark is still an active musician, performing at various gigs around the country. Clive and Glenys lead a quiet life at their Sandton home with daughter Aimee and son Dirk.

Albums

The Zombies The Zombies (1963, Teal Records, TL 1105)
Jimmy Come Lately Jimmy Come Lately (1966, RCA Victor, RCA 32-094)
Listen! Listen! To The Sound Of Four Jacks And A Jill Listen! Listen! To The Sound Of Four Jacks And A Jill (1966, RCA Victor, RCA 32-191)
The House With The White Washed Gables The House With The White Washed Gables (1967, RCA Victor, RCA 32-249)
Timothy And Other Hits Timothy And Other Hits (1967, RCA Victor, RCA 32-310)
Four Jacks And A Jill Four Jacks And A Jill (1967, RCA Victor, RCA 32-335)
The Sunny Side Of Four Jacks And A Jill The Sunny Side Of Four Jacks And A Jill (1968, RCA Victor, RCA 32-370)
The Greatest Hits Of Four Jacks And A Jill The Greatest Hits Of Four Jacks And A Jill (1968, RCA Victor, RCA 32-387)
The Sunny Side Of Four Jacks And A Jill The Sunny Side Of Four Jacks And A Jill (Stereo) (1968, RCA Victor, RCA 37-017)
Fables Fables (1968, USA, RCA Victor, LSP 4103)
Master Jack Master Jack (1969, USA, RCA Victor, LSP 4109)
Fables Fables (1969, RCA Victor, 38-036)
Now! Now! (1969, RCA Victor, RCA 38-101)
Jill Jill (1970, RCA Victor, RCA 38-185)
The Greatest Hits Of Four Jacks And A Jill The Greatest Hits Of Four Jacks And A Jill (1970, NPTN 3404)
The Golden Hits Of Four Jacks And A Jill (2 LP) (1972, HGW 7604 - Re-issue of Jimmy Come Lately, RCA 32-094, and Four Jacks And A Jill, RCA 32-335)
The Greatest Hits Of Four Jacks And A Jill Four Jacks And A Jill Supershow (1972, BURD 505)
The Greatest Hits Of Four Jacks And A Jill 4 Jacks And A Jill (1974, MFP 54558)
Good Vibrations With Four Jacks And A Jill (1975, MFP 54832)
Four Jacks And A Jill Live (1975, Sounds Superb, LSS 2)
Sell A Million (1975, Sounds Superb, LSS 3 / Gallo, GL 1827)
On The Move (1977, Gallo, ML 4090)
Boy On The Border (1978, Gallo, SPL 3344 / MFP 54934 / GAST 111)
Greatest Hits (1978, CAM 1503)
Television Party (1979, Gallo, SPL 3378)
Four Jacks And A Jill Live II (1979, Gallo, LSS 198 / GAST 101)
Sweet Sweet Love (1980, Gallo, GAST 127 / PPL 37)
Shamwari (1982, Gallo, ML 4594)
Four Jacks And A Jill Gospel Collection (1983, MFP 58063)
Four Jacks And A Jill / Glenys Lynne Gospel Collection 2 (1987, MFP 59016)
Very Best Of Four Jacks And A Jill Volume 1 (1995, Teal Records, MORCD 521)
Very Best Of Four Jacks And A Jill Volume 2 (1995, Teal Records, MORCD 535)
2000 And Beyond (2000, Smug Music, CD4JAC01)
The Heart And Soul Of Four Jacks And A Jill The Heart And Soul Of Four Jacks And A Jill Jill (2001-05-18, GSP, CDREDD 661)
A Time For Caring A Time For Caring - 21 Classic Christmas Carols & Songs (2003)
A Time For Thanks A Time For Thanks - Songs of Thanks and Songs of Praise (2004)

Singles

Summertime Blues / All Right All Right (As The Zombies, 1964, RCA, 41-755)
Let The Water Run / Barefoot In The Rain (As The Zombies & Glenys, 1964, Teal Records, TS 87)
Jimmy Come Lately / Can't Help Lovin' You (1965, RCA, 41-830)
Blue / No Other Baby (1966, RCA, 41-853)
Mark Condor Theme / Flowers Never Bend (1966, RCA, 41-874)
Don't Start Me Talkin' 'Bout My Baby / Listen Listen (1966, RCA, 41-914)
Walk The World / The House With The White Washed Gables (1967, RCA, 41-941)
Timothy / Leaves Are Falling (1967, RCA, 41-987)
Master Jack / I Looked Back (1967, RCA, 42-004)
Master Jack / I Looked Back (1968, USA, RCA, 47-9473)
Mister Nico / Sunny Side Of Somewhere (1968, RCA, 42-021)
Mister Nico / Hamba Liliwam (1968, USA, RCA, 47-9572)
Three Little Bears / Hey Mister (1968, RCA, 42-046)
Such A Precious World / Through Little Billy's Window (1968, RCA, 42-085)
Grandfather Dugan / Stone In My Shoe (1969, USA, RCA, 47-9728)
Poor Lucy / Inky Dinky Spider (1969, RCA, 42-115)
Pretty Belinda / Making Music (1970, RCA, 42-160)
Ketchup On My Ice Cream / Old Soul (1970, RCA, 42-211)
Half And Half / Nickel Song (1972, RPM 368)
Jack-A-Dandy / Love (Epidemic) (1973, RASH 605)
The Last Of The Callaghan Boys / It Only Takes Two (1973, RASH 611)
Universal Feeling / If All The World Were Apple Pie (1973, RASH 615)
Country Sunshine / Puppy Song (1973, RASH 617)
Sell A Million / Sweet Sweet Lovin' (1975, PD 1071)
Love Triangle / Kiri-E Kiri-O (1977, PD 1402)
Mr Go Softly / Another Day In The City (1977, PD 1483)
Upside Down / 1.2.3. (1977, PD 1564)
Boy On The Border / Papers (1978, PD 1597)
Master Jack / Sweet Sweet Love (1979, PD 1727)
Shamwari / Running Back (1982, PD 2051)

Introduction: Book "History Of Contemporary Music Of South Africa" - a book by Garth Chilvers and Tom Jasiukowicz, published by TOGA Publishing in 1994: http://www.rock.co.za/files/book_order.html
The rest (and most) is from Malcolm Lombard's liner notes to the Very Best Of Four Jacks And A Jill Volume 1 as are the pictures.

It is not my intention to infringe on any copyright in any way.