1977 – Innisfree
Mike Laden – keyboards & vocals
Mike Lichtman – guitar & vocals
Hylton Reiff – bass & vocals
Clive Thomas – drums & vocals
Innisfree was the first band I joined after moving to Cape Town in 1977. It was also an important step in my musical development, introducing me to a much more progressive and adventurous style of playing.
The band was heavily influenced by the progressive rock music we were listening to at the time, particularly groups such as Focus, along with many of the other European progressive bands that were shaping our musical tastes.
We rehearsed in Harfield Village, Cape Town, and fortunately some of those rehearsals were recorded. Listening to them today provides a wonderful snapshot of where we were musically in 1977.
One of the highlights of our short time together was performing at a Battle of the Bands competition in Cape Town that year.
Rehearsal Recordings – 1977
The recordings below were made during rehearsals at Mike's studio in Harfield Village.
These early recordings capture an important period for me — discovering progressive rock, developing as a bass player and beginning to find my own musical direction in Cape Town.
