Ronnie Joyce & Jonathan Butler - Give Love On Christmas Day ( Full Single) (South Africa, 1977)

Merry Christmas Eve!

Another South African Christmas gem!

Ronnie Joyce is widely recognised as "The Michael Jackson of Cape Town", crediting the late MJ as his idol. He was born around 1960 in Cape Town and grew up in Athlone. At age 14, the managers of fellow Athlone native, Richard Jon Smith, took immediate interest in the young "Little Ronnie Joyce" and asked him to open for RJS. He was an immediate hit and so, his first single "Give A Little Love", was released in 1974, peaking at #20 on the South African charts. As his career took off and he got older, he dropped the "Little" from his stage name. While opening and touring with Richard Jon Smith, he rubbed shoulders with fellow Capetonian singers, Jonathan Butler and Lionel Peterson, who became good friends of his and whom he performed with on occasion. Sadly, Ronnie passed away on the 8th of January 2013 at only 53 after a lenghtly battle with ill health, shortly after reuniting with Jonathan and Lionel for a stellar reunion concert. His smooth, soulful voice live on both locally and beyond.

Since the A-side is a duet with Jonathan Butler, I might as well give a short biography. Also an Athlone native, he was born on October 10th 1964. Much like Ronnie, Jonathan also found success in his teenage years, becoming the first black artist to have a single played on white radio station during apartheid. He achieved major chart success in the mid 70s and remains a prominent and well-regarded artist in South Africa, Europe and the US, having lived in California for a number of years in the mid 2000s. He is still actively performing today.

This particular single was released in 1977 on Bullet Records, with the Jackson 5 cover on the A-side and a solo Ronnie Joyce track on the B-side. Produced by Peter Vee (RIP), a well-known South African producer, songwriter and record industry executive, the labels indicate that the single was produced by him for Clive Calder Productions, also a South African record label executive. Definitely reminiscent of the Jacksons, Ronnie and Jonathan's voices are in perfect harmony and undoubtedly make for a warm, Christmas song. Ronnie's solo B-side is no different, showcasing his strong vocals backed by a soulful instrumental, making for the perfect B-side to this single.

Track Listing:

0:00 - A - Give Love On Christmas Day
3:25 - B - If I Had Someone To Love Me

Producer:
Peter Vee

Produced For:
Clive Calder Productions

Written By:
The Corporation (A)
R. G. & D. B. Joyce (B)

Catalogue number: B 127

℗ MCMLXXVII CCP Records

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