Goema Captain was a legend and pioneer

• Published date: 08 May 2024
• Author: Hazel Allies-Husselman hazel.allies@acm.co.za
• Publication title: Southern Mail

Musician and composer, Gerald “Mac” Mckenzie, 72, died in a Johanesburg hospital on Monday April 29. The cause of his death was not revealed

Known as the Goema Captain and the frontman of The Genuines, with his roots in Bridgetown, Mckenzie has been described by his industry friends as a legend and a pioneer.

He fused different genres of music, including goema, rock, jazz, and even composed a symphony.

Throughout his mix-masala of music, however, he always encouraged younger musicians to tell their own stories.

Musician Leslie Javan said he met Mckenzie when he was 16 years old.

“Our neighbour, Charles Isaacs, had a langarm band. I am 20 years younger than him (Mckenzie) and I remember that time they started The Genuines and the Gramadoelas. Mac encouraged us as composers to write our own music, to write about our culture and to tell the stories of our people.

“He said we must create our own voice and not try to sound like American artists. I am classically trained. We all start somewhere − even if that means singing cover versions of songs − but eventually you find your voice. Mac encouraged us and told us not to feel discouraged about what is happening in the industry,” Mr Javan said.

Hilton Schilder said he lost his “soulmate”.

“The last time we played together was in Lamberts Bay in December last year. I’ve lost my soulmate, my brother and the greatest composer.

“I met Mac in 1978 when I was in matric at South Peninsula High School. He encouraged me to take piano seriously. He mentored me in that way. We were together since, although over the years we took different paths, we always ended up together.

“We did a lot of nice stuff, but we only played original music. We mentored lots of people to play their own music, because cover versions can stunt an artist’s growth. We have our own genre,” Mr Schilder said.

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