// Workers AI · dad joke modeIs Rex Rabanye a dinosaur musician? T-Rex-pect so.

Rex Rabanye
Born	Michael Morake Rabanye (1944-03-13)13 March 1944 Potchefstroom, Union of South Africa
Died	10 October 2010(2010-10-10) (aged 66) Potchefstroom, South Africa
Occupations	Recording artist Keyboardist Producer Music Arranger Composer
Years active	1967–2010
Spouse	Achu Rabanye
Children	3
Musical career
Genres	Jazz Soulful pop soul Afro Jazz
Instruments	Keyboard guitar
Label	Gallo Records

Michael Morake Rabanye (13 March 1944 – 10 October 2010), known professionally as Rex Rabanye, was a South African jazz, fusion and soulful pop musician.

Early life

He was born in Potchefstroom. Rex as he was affectionately known, studied B Luris at North-West University.

Music career

To the south west of Johannesburg, Ikageng in Potchefstroom produced a hot soul band called the Teenage Lovers. It is hot property was Rex Rabanye, the keyboard wizard who was Ikageng's response to Alexandra's Sankie Chounyane. He had learned to play the keyboards from his father, Samuel Rabanye at the age of fifteen. His bee-hive organ sound earned him millions of fans around the country.

After going solo, Rex Rabanye hit the country with dynamites like O Nketsang and Moya Moya. Some of the multi-talented Rex's painting can be seen on the walls of the African Methodist Church in Ikageng. By the late 80s the lawman who hold a B.Uris degree had moved from his place of birth to Mmabatho near Mafikeng, from where he relaunched his musical career. His other albums include Somlandela, Campus Mood and Stop Nonsons.

In his later years his health deteriorated to a point of losing his hearing. During the SAMA 12 he was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement award.

There he was on a wheelchair receiving the award he so much deserved after inspiring a whole generation of keyboardists. 'Long live soulman! Go soulman go!' I screamed. Luckily I was alone in the house and did not have to explain myself to anyone..." (Mojapelo, 2008: 47-48)

He was a founding member of the Teenage Lovers band of which they formed in the late 1960s. The band consisted of Rex Rabanye (Keyboardist), Dan Mangwele(Guitarist), Toto Rabanye (Bass Guitarist), Boy (Saxophonist) and Victor Masigo (Drummer).Lawrence 'Sackey' Goreoang(the "I Love Ikageng" and "Hey-Tah -Dah" hit maker) was also a guitarist in the band and later resorted to a rivalry band (The Question Marks) of The Teenage Lovers which he founded. The Teenage Lovers band made platinum hits like "Botany 500", "Trinity", "Mmabatho", "Potchefstroom Road" among others. When the Teenage Lovers disbanded Rex went solo, he conceived platinum-selling albums like Onketsang (1986) and Moya moya (1987). To date Onketsang remains one of the favourite songs during African Weddings throughout South Africa and neighbouring countries.

Personal life

Rex was married to Achu Rabanye and they had 1 son, 2 daughters.

Death

He died on 10 October 2010 at his home in Potchefstroom after battling a lifelong illness.

Awards and Nominations

Rex has received many awards in recognition for his contribution to the music industry, one being the South African Music Awards lifetime achievement award during the 2006 MTN SAMA's.

Discography

studio albums

• Moya-Moya (1986)
• O Nketsang (1986)
• Stôp Nônsôns (1986)
• Moya-Moya (1986)
• Somlandela (1987)
• Campus Mood (1988)
• There's Nothing For Mahala (2007)

External links

• Rex Rabanye discography at Discogs
• http://afrosynth.blogspot.co.za/2010/09/rex-rabanye-campus-mood-1988-ccpblack.html