Mense came out in their numbers to show support for the family of the late langarm legend Kenny Wentzel, who started Strand Combo, on Saturday.
Club 7764 in Athlone was a musical heaven when several bands, including the band N2 in which his sons play, performed to raise funds for the Wentzel family following Kenny’s death last month.
Club management, Mohan Patel, and DJs Brian Bohorn and Ruppert organised the benefit langarm concert for Kenny, 77, who passed away of lung cancer.
“Like so many other musical greats from the Flats, Kenny died a poor man and now his fellow musicians want to help his family out financially,” said Natasha van der Merwe, the club hostess and wife of DJ Brian.
Three of Kenny’s five sons are part of the N2 Band and performed all their dad’s favourite songs on stage.
Other bands like Cool Sounds and the Elginairs also paid tribute to Kenny.
Elginairs leader Vernon Joorst, 50, says Kenny left a great legacy for musicians like him to follow.
“I’ve known Kenny for over 20 years and his legacy will live on in all musicians he [worked with]. He sowed a seed that will reap the benefits [since] he is gone.”
Kenny’s son Noel Wentzel, 53, plays the keyboard in the band and thanked everyone for attending and showing support.
“We, as the family, are really honoured by the great support shown today. This really helps make our grieving time easier.”
DJs Brian and Ruppert gave mense a lekker jol between the band sets.
Brian says: “I didn’t known Kenny personally, but I have been a lover of his music for many years and I feel this event showed so much unity in the number of people attending.”