Gene Rockwell

Gene Rockwell (27 December 1944 – 3 July 1998) was a South African singer. His 1965 rendition of "Heart" went directly to the top of the LM Radio Top 20.

History Gene was born Gert Smit in 1944 in the town of Krugersdorp in the then Transvaal province of South Africa. He died at the age of 53 years, on 3 July 1998, of cancer.

He won his first talent competition at the age of 15, in Durban's "Little Top". Still in his teens, Gene formed The Blue Angels, later to become The Falcons, in 1963, with whom he played guitar and sang his famous gritty-blues-style songs. The original line up of the Falcons were George Usher (lead guitar), Jannie Heyns (bass guitar), Clive Swegman (rhythm guitar), Frank Rickson (drums). They played many packed out shows, becoming a staple of the dance scene in South Africa, particularly Durban.

Discography DateTitle (A-side/B-side)Label 1965 "Ciao" Continental Records (8) PD.7-8971. 1963 "Back Stage" Continental Records (8) PD.7-8971. 1967 "Cold Cold Heart" / "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" Continental PD-9279 1968 "Die Jare Gaan Verby" Apple Records PD 9431 1969 "Rocking Horse" / "Happy Man" Public! 1969 "I Like It Like It Was" / "Love Wonderful Love" Public! 1971 "A Soldier's Prayer" / "Forty Days" Brigadiers 1973 "Sunshine" / "Big Lonely City" Plum Records 1976 "Shame On Me" / "Please Don't Tell Me How The Story Ends" Epidemic 1976 "Heart" - 2 versions Continental Records