Party Time Review looking at Cindy Alter

Party Time Review

With Hanlie Koekemoer

It’s not over yet!

Picture it - the time was 1977 - one year after the 1976 riots one year that South Africa had to think about what the Nationalists were doing to our country and that everything was not hunky dory. Rebellion was the order of the day with the youth and my older brother - who we have now nicknamed Satan - was no exception! Rabbit was the group that had everyone spell-bound. The show on television was Springbok Top Twenty with David Gresham - and there was no advertising! And then along came this all-girl group Clout!

There was an artistic explosion at the time and the pop-groups Rabbit and Clout heralded a new era into South African music. One of success. People with alternate views on life and politics were starting to make an impression. I don’t think the modern South Africa has seen success like Clout had. Thousands and thousands of South Africans were screaming adoring fans and this translated into much needed profit. But the big difference between then and now is that these people could actually play music and sing! True rockers. Cindy Alter was the exceptional lead singer and guitarist for the group. My brother adored her. Had great respect for her - “even if she was a girl” and the Afrikaner community was shocked by them. Remember ‘n boeremeise did not behave like a man - ever!

This was my first exposure to Cindy Alter! Who could every forget the Pioneer advert that Cindy starred in - everything you hear is true! This advert when onto run well into the early 80’s. It featured some of Cindy’s phenomenal talents in song writing and guitar playing. Cindy looked and played the part - as a wild rocker - completely. Her all-girl band Clout had many hits of which I am sure you will know the two most popular, Substitute and Save Me. Played over and over again. But all good things come to an end and after four years, Clout disbanded. Our loss. The success of the late 70’s was in my opinion never to be repeated. Time rolled on - we heard a little of Cindy - she moved overseas and now she’s back! Strong as ever - its not over yet!

Currently, Cindy is partnered with another phenomenal artist from the group Ballyhoo namely Stewart Irving and together, they form the ALTER IRVING DUO. Stewart and Cindy have both had solo success, respectively in Los Angeles, and London, and have now

returned to South Africa to
combine their awe-inspiring
talents to form “ALTER IRVING”.

Like with the band Clout - this
new duo has an international
following like you cannot
believe! Did you know what
an important persona Cindy is
overseas bokkies! Like so many
Cindy is in my opinion, loved
and respected more by
foreigners than her own
mense! Sies man!

Together with awesome vocal
impact ALTER IRVING is an act
that delivers. In 2007 they
opened for Air Supply, to
massive public acclaim, proving
that two voices and two guitars
are quite capable of moving an
audience deeply. Tom London,
MC at the show, was blown away
by this duo. Their live
performance on Benjy Mudie’s
show Rock of Ages, brought
in tons of callers asking
where they could catch the
duo Live. Well done my
bokkies - you are
proof that all of us
love real talent
and real music -
not Mickey Mouse
on Helium aka
Madonna! But

Picture: Jean Hayes