John Edmond

John Edmond also known as the "Bush Cat", (born 18 November 1936) is a Rhodesian-South African musician and former soldier. Quotes Although as a youth I sang in choirs, played harmonica, bugle, bagpipes and drums, loved my drumming and became the South African champion pipe band drummer, it was only when I was 21 that I bought my first guitar. I made up parodies and little songs to entertain my fellow troops in the evenings and on patrols on the Congo border and only started writing real songs when I was about 29. During and after my initial service in the Royal Rhodesia Regiment on the Congo border and during the unrest in Northern Rhodesia, I trained as a computer analyst/programmer- in the UK for a while. As I mentioned earlier “The UDI Song” which I also later recorded, was part of the watershed of my career and having about 500 of my own songs recorded by various artists and myself it is difficult to say which one is particularly memorable “Agysymban Trilogy” tells the tale of Rhodesia from early times to Zimbabwe. “Down the River” tells of the betrayal of the Western Powers. “When are you coming home Shamwari?” was often played on The Voice of America and was a favourite of black Zimbabwean exiles living abroad- It was even recorded in Shona by the MDC Choir (Movement for Democratic Change)- The embattled opposition party to ZANU PF. I am also very proud that the Texan 124th Cavalry Regiment commissioned me to write them a regimental song – “The 124th Cavalry Regiment Lives on” The result was that my wife and I (who both served in the Air Wing of our local commando/citizen force) have been made honorary members of the regiment. The 124th fought with distinction in Burma in WW2 and in Iraq as an armoured car regiment. . The Rhodesians grew up on my and other composers’ music. It was written about the people and for the people so they identify with the songs. Most of the men, fathers, like in my song “Dads Army” and sons served in the Bush war and my music kept them going; they remember moments and times where I entertained them in the operational area around campfires to boost them and keep them going like the songs “Back in the Sticks”, “Pick yourself up” and “The Whistling Troopie” The music was really part and parcel of their lives; good memories and bad and when Rhodesians both black and white had to leave Rhodesia/Zimbabwe for economic or political reasons they took with them their favourite songs, not only mine but other artists’ like you have mentioned in your question. External links Category:Living people Category:Musicians from South Africa