Theo Coetzee RIP - photo by Clem Tholet 2004
Theo Coetzee - The Last Dance - 26th Feb 1944 to 26th Sept 2004 A-D
In memory of THEO COETZEE, hero, philosopher, and friend to all by Arlo Hennings
Theo Coetzee along with David Marks was the person responsible for connecting Shawn with thousands of lost South African music fans in 1994. Over the next 10 years, Theo went on to bring Shawn back for two more tours of South Africa, which permanently etched Shawn a place on the official South African music legend list.
I have never met a more thoughtful and spiritually refreshing human being. I feel privileged to have known Theo. A sore loss for Shawn and the South African music community. He will not be forgotten.
Dankie, Theo for everything. I will be seeing you at the Hole In The Wall. GO WELL!
Take The Day : a dedication to Theo by Shawn Phillips
I did not know Theo as well as many of you here. I vividly
remember my first arrival in Joburg, and the
subsequent rally back and forth of questions getting to know each other during
the ride from the airport. I
will never forget his relief on learning from me that I intended to be very
professional, and diligent about
getting the concerts done, and trying to make each one better than the last. In
retrospect, I knew that he
was thinking, "Oh God, is this guy gonna be another Jan Michael
Vincent?"
One of the things about him that stands out in my mind, is that
small half smile, topped by an incredibly inquisitive gaze whenever he queried
you about something. However, one important thing to
remember about Theo, is that he spent his life in service to his fellow man. He
wanted everyone to have
a strong sense of positive confidence, and to get on with it, whether it was
business, pleasure, or the
tiny mundanities that we all go through in life.
The last time I saw him, he quoted the lines to one of my songs to me. "For
war is not the answer, it is not
the strongest force. It's love that binds us all together, and guides the shape
of history's course". For him to sing my songs was the highest compliment
he could ever have paid me, and I loved him for it. So, after this short eulogy
from me, I am including the words to a new song that was written 2 days ago. I
know he would have loved this one, and I dedicate this song to him, because it's
right up his alley.
Even though I am not there, I know that there is a tremendous flow of love, and
energy from this
gathering. In the long run, it is the nature of this energy that will
change this extraordinary world around us, and
will transform any negative energies that come our way. The reason for this is
simple. This man spent his
life surrounded by good people, and many of you are here today to express your
respect for, and to him.
We must remember, first, and foremost, the other important thing about Theo
Coetzee, was that he was a
good man. Fly free my friend. You are released from the dualities of existence,
and we will never forget you,
because you are now the ground we stand on, the wind that caresses our faces,
the ceaseless movement of the
clouds above us, and the very light that guides us within, and without.
Take The Day
I have lived a life of leisure, I have rendered unto Ceaser, I have spent some
days in a total craze and I just can't find the reason, but I'll make my path
through the world of wrath, and I'll find me some cohesion but along the way, I
have to say, I know that we are legion Take the Day
To the shadowed ground of chaos, Alabama to south Laos, we have seen the ragged
fury, of humanity, and it's
usury, inflicted on the masses with a sense of utter crassness, by men without a
vision, who never feel contrition,
abandoning compassion for the sake of shallow fashion, senseless intervention,
in a world too poor to mention, with a silent apprehension, in the simplest
convention, in a way of life without much strife, and a modest malintention, can
we find the tools and make some rules as to who gets all the bounty,
Take The Day
I have seen the face of wonder, I have shivered in the thunder, I have felt the
pain under evils gain, and it's rent
my life asunder, but I'll rise above with the help of love, and my friends of
many colors, but along the way I have to say, there are so many others,
Take the day
There is calibrated madness, in the mind of all fanatics, and God's not great
when he's used with hate, to kill
with vicious tactics, and a faith is interrupted, a religion full corrupted, by
jealous men and cowards, killing children by the hundreds, who have no choice of
living, by beings unforgiving, who live in rage, want to change the age, and
make our lives a misery, to make us see their vision, theological collision, and
you got no choice, and you can't rejoice, in the joy of simply living, but I
have to say, that's not the way God wants us to behave, Now
Take The Day
Nobody's gonna call me honey, for my multitudes of money, I don't do coke, but
I'm still broke, and I sing to
all and sundry, for 40 years I've shed my tears, and tried to make it funny, but
along the way, I'm glad to say, I've made it more than sunny,
Take The Day
Soon the energy is waning, but the mind is set on gaining, if we stop the war
waged on the poor, we might have some acclaiming, and the practice of collusion,
might we stop this vile intrusion, and I see some emendation, for the rules of
any nation, are in order for the future, as to how and when we use her, this
tiny earth, of shallow girth, will never be a loser, and winning is a concept,
that rules our very mindset, an epiphany of mercy, that urgently concerns me, we
have to say, that loves the way, to stop this
bloody mayhem,
Take The Day
Arlo and Theo 2002 Jo' Burg |
Southern Cross Festival 2000 |
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| Maarten's Garden 2004 | 1972 National Folk Festival |
From Theo's 1st dance 1965 from Abie Fullard
