Farewell to Durban’s piano man

WELL-KNOWN and much-loved Durban entertainer, Colin Penn, passed away in hospital on Saturday, 3 October at the age of 79.

Colin has entertained audiences in and around Durban for decades, and is known for his talent of tinkling on the ivories, singing as well as for his wicked sense of humour.

Colin started playing the piano at the age of four. He was visiting with his parents, saw a piano, and was drawn to it. He even managed to play a tune, untaught.
He had classical piano lessons from the age of six and passed all Trinity College of Music exams up until the age of 14, when he was told he was too young to continue at the level he had reached. By this time, he was playing every kind of music by ear.

He performed his first New Year’s Eve show at the Perthshire Hotel at the age of 13. He started playing at the hotel, accompanied by a friend on double base, made from a tea box, a broom handle and string.

Colin met his wife of 56 years, Barbara, when they were 17 years old, ahead of a Methodist church concert in the Point area.

The couple dated for five years before they were engaged and married within six months, in 1964.

ALSO READ: Colin Penn sing-along celebrates Armistice Day

After school Colin went to work in Barclay’s Bank during the day and played at venues at night and over the weekend. He left the bank job fairly quickly.
He started off his musical career in the days of the Alfresco on the Esplanade, entertaining crowds at weddings, nightclubs, parties, balls and dances.
Colin Penn and the Pennants were possibly the most booked group of its day.

Colin was a passionate entrepreneur, and the Penns went headfirst into a string of businesses all the while Colin played with the Pennants. They started a takeaway in Broad Street, Penn’s Pantry where Barbara and Colin’s mum cooked and baked. In the following years, the Penns took over the popular five star restaurant, The Napoleon where Colin also played.

Colin loved the classics and enjoyed playing music from the 1940s to 1970s, but it was his tributes to the greats, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Tom Jones, Tony Bennett and Johnny Mathis, for which he was best known. For 30 years people also flocked to his Armistice Day show in Durban.

ALSO READ: Patience, laughter and good music keeps the Penn’s love alive

During his illustrious career, Colin played in the West End of London, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Disneyland, has performed on Union Castle ships, played at the Mayor’s Ball, the Red Cross Ball, at the Los Angles Hotel and the five star Tiffanys. He played in just about every night spot in Durban, performed four times for the Queen, once for Princess Anne and for every State President since South Africa became a republic.

But, despite his fame, his sister, Cynthia Nipper, said: “Colin always said to me ‘I don’t want to be remembered as a good musician or entertainer. I just want people to say ‘He was kind.’” By the tributes on social media, it was evident that he was loved and appreciated by many.
Colin is survived by Barbara, their three sons and their families, as well as extended family.

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