GENRE: Pop / R&B / Rock
MEMBERS:
Jerry Watt – lead guitar, vocals
Theo Watt – lead vocals
Bruce Newman – drums
Jano van der Berg – bass guitar, vocals
Ryan Smith – keyboards, vocals
The Rockets success story is one of determination, hard work, and dedication.
The Rockets have always had a definite and precise attitude to their career right from its inception, having survived both the feverishness and fluctuations of the music business.
They now spend more than 6 months of the year performing outside of South Africa. International trips have included numerous performances in Australia, the Middle East, Seychelles and other parts of Africa.
The Rockets have supported many international acts in South Africa. These include Ronan Keating, Usher, Alicia Keys, P. Diddy, Shayne Ward, Patrizio Buanne, Will Young, Marcos Hernandez, Luther Vandross, The Spice Girls, Wet Wet Wet, Billy Ocean, The O’Jays and many others.
They have also performed at many prestigious events in South Africa, including amongst others: The Staying Alive Aids concert at Greenpoint stadium filmed by MTV and watched by an estimated audience of 2 billion, Unite of The Stars, the massive “Concerts in the Park”, “Olympic Announcement Event”, “National Freedom Day Celebrations”, President Thabo Mbeki’s acceptance of the “Freedom of Vredendal Celebration”, KKNK, “Rand Show“, “10 years of Democracy” celebration and many others.
They also have 2 SAMA nominations under their belt, namely “Best Pop Performance” and “Best Contemporary Dance Performance” categories.
They have had numerous record successes in South Africa and have topped many radio station and official charts with hits like “Gimme A Break”, “Surrender”, “Pappa Please Come Back Home”, “Thank You Thank You”, “Back II The Hits” and “African People”. They have always backed up their accomplishments before hundred of thousands of fans throughout the world.
The Rockets are an extremely versatile band and it is none more apparent on their latest CD release, “Still Standing”. They spent nearly 12 months recording and producing their latest offering, which has resulted in 19 superb tracks (18 of them original tunes). This album has a superb variety of beautiful ballads, mid-tempo melodies and fantastic dance tunes. The album was engineered, produced and mixed in both the USA (by Pius Adomako at Digisonic Studios in Atlanta) and South Africa (by Jerry Watt, with assistance from Le Roi Kroneberg, at WattzUp Recording Studio, Cape Town). The CD was mastered in Atlanta, USA by Rodney Mills Masterhouse (who boast amongst their clients, Pearl Jam, Sheryl Crow, 38 Special, Rage Against The Machine and many others).
The Rockets have a stunning visual appeal, their playing is top notch and their songs are fresh and fulfilling. They continue to set local and international stages alight with their colourful, uncompromising and energetic performances.
