Roger Lucey

The criminal methods used against Lucey formed part of the testimony given by Paul Erasmus in front of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

[1] According to Drewett "Lucey grew increasingly aware of the incongruence between apartheid ideology and the lived experience of black South Africans.

"[5] As a result of this awareness, Lucey began writing protest songs based on this inequality and injustice in South Africa.

[6] Lucey started as a folk musician playing acoustic guitar and singing covers and his own songs with a very gravelly voice.

[7] He started performing in Durban's coffee bars but did not, however, distance himself from political issues such as Alan Jeffrey, Steve Newman, the Kitchen Brothers and Jan Hofmeyer.

"[1] Letters he obtained of invitations to festivals and clubs were destroyed and news regarding forthcoming performances were used to threaten venue owners.

[5] After the release of his records, they were confiscated from the independent stores and by 1974 with the passing of the Publications Act, censorship of Lucey grew harsher.

[14] Lucey, along with Jennifer Ferguson, the Kalahari Surfers and the Cherry Faced Lurchers, among others, contributed songs to Shifty Records' Forces Favourites, which was a support to the End Conscription Campaign.

[17] Roger Lucey formed part of a group that offered an alternative to apartheid hegemony alongside James Phillips, the Kalahari Surfers, Juluka, Savuka, Bright Blue, Mzwakhe Mbuli, Bayete, and Stimela.