Musicians hold a fitting tribute for brilliant blues guitarist
Musicians recently came together to hold a fitting tribute and memorial for Boet Faber, a beloved and brilliant blues-rocker well-known to fans of blues and rock music in Pretoria.
A memorial was recently held for Rietondale blues rock artist, Boet Faber (1954 – 2023), at Bernie’s Joint in Pretoria.
Faber passed away on June 2 at the age of 68 after a heart-attack.
Faber received A Lifetime Achievement Award as well as Blues Artist of the Year 2022 Award from the South African Country Music Artist Foundation.
He started his musical career in 1977 as the guitarist in the heavy rock band Raven. The other band members were: Doc Barendse, Derek Riley, Dino Salvatori and Piet Botha.
He followed this up in 1980 as part of the band Catherine Wheel with band members Piet Botha and Karlien van Niekerk.
This band became one with Wildebeest, a South African rock band formed in 1981 in Pretoria with members Colin Pratley, David Tarr, Piet Botha and Karlien van Niekerk.
He was also a founding member of Jack Hammer, started with Piet Botha, Jan Maloney and Eric Birckenstock in November 1984.
As session guitarist, he performed with various artists such as Anton Goosen, Lucas Maree and projects like Herstigte Kommissie van Ondersoek.
Of late Faber performed mostly as a solo blues rock artist. He was well-known for his raspy voice.
His partner of six years, Lana Patterson, loved his music.
“He will always go down as one of the fastest guitar players in history. To me he was a calm companion.”
She has fond memories of how his playing at a gig at the Beach House in Hartbeespoort brought them together as a couple.
“His way of playing blues songs always made me feel better and relaxed. He had the most beautiful hands.”
Patterson also became Faber’s manager and did all his bookings.
She says that after he passed away a friend remarked that it was so odd to see her alone as the two of them were inseparable.
Faber was well-known for his playing the blues as a solo artist at gigs such as Mulligans and Jan se Skuld.
Patterson says one of the remarkable attributes of Faber was that he never had to practise with other musicians before a gig.
“He could easily play together with the best without even a jamming session beforehand. It was as if he has been training forever.”
Patterson says Faber was also a dedicated stained glass item artist and well-known for his love of telling stories after a show.
“It was part of his shows and his charm. He loved chatting to everybody and many a friend benefited from his wisdom and advice.”
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