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ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE 60S

This site is all about how the group started, where they performed, who they met along the way, and what they're up to today. Enjoy!
 


Mel, Mel & Julian from an interview in a Durban newspaper, drawn by Jock Leyden, who got it right!

Mel, Mel & Julian keep in touch with each other, and also with their circle of friends... musicians, and acquaintances from the good old days. There is a lot to tell... and from time to time this short history will be added to. 

Historic Reference

In 1994 Mel, Mel & Julian were included in the "History of Contemporary Music in South Africa"...taking their place as one of many notable music groups to make an impression on the cultural scene.

A Reunion?

Occasionally we hear from an old fan, who invariably asks:  Wouldn't a re-union of Mel, Mel & Julian be wonderful?

To which we usually answer: We're just waiting for the right offer and opportunities! We are getting older, soo if you are seriously interested? Please contact us...

via Mel Green at mel_green_1@hotmail.com

and he will pass the message on to Mel Miller and Julian Laxton who still live in Johannesburg. If your offer is a good one, who knows? We do like to travel!

Notable places we played & recordings we made

 Mel, Mel & Julian 1964

1964 - 1967 Mel, Mel & Julian

Regular appearances at The Troubadour in Johannesburg
Residencies:
Edward Hotel Durban
Deal's Hotel, East London
Grand Hotel, Cape Town 
New Year Show at Port Alfred

Headlined concerts at:
University of Cape Town; Wits University, Johannesburg;
Durban University; Rhodes University, Grahamstown 

Winner: On Springbok Radio, Redro Battle of the Bands -
Recorded an EP sponsored by Redro Fishpaste 
 
2 Albums recorded for CBS South Africa as Mel & Mel & Julian:

"One More Town" Songs by current singer/songwriters
including Lightfoot, Dylan, John Stewart, Steve Gillette,
Ian Tyson and Peggy Lee(!)

"Miscellanea" Their LP of folk, rock, jug-band & baroque tunes
Songs by singer/songwriters: including
Chuck Berry, Gordon Lightfoot, Dick Farina, 
Bob Dylan and Robert Johnson, plus a song written by
Mel & Mel, and an instrumental by Julian (in the style of Doc Watson)

Performed with local entertainers for troops returning from Vietnam
aboard aircraft carrier USS Wasp, docked in Cape Town harbor, 1966 

 Mel & Mel 1964

1963 - 1964  Mel & Mel
Feature: Johannesburg Folk Festival, with Louis Meyer
(Performing on the FIRST folk LP  released in South Africa of the Main Stage Concert.
Mel, Mel & Louis had three cuts on the album recorded by
CBS South Africa, after which they were signed to the label. 

1 Album recorded for CBS South Africa
"Songs about mines, people, places and one train" 
as Mel & Mel with Julian before he joined the band.
Tunes were mostly traditional,  along with songs by 
Billy Ed Wheeler, Buffy St. Marie, Ewan McColl & Peggy Seeger.

Residencies:
The Troubadour, Johannesburg
Edward Hotel Durban
Deal's Hotel, East London

1970 Reunited at the Minstrel, Pretoria... their last show.