DR VICTOR and the Rasta Rebels is a band that many of Johannesburg's adults associate with their wild campus days.

Many can remember the group performing the Eddie Grant anti-apartheid song Give Me Hope Jo'anna at campus parties, to wild cheering.

But Dr Victor and the Rasta Rebels will be performing at a more genteel venue next week. The Blues Room in Sandton's Village Walk will be rocking to their band of pop afro-reggae music on Wednesday evening.

The band is made up of Dr Victor, Winston Dlamini, George Longane, Petrus Williams, Gladwin Mafhoko, David Argus and Gustav Smyth.

Most of the band were born in Kimberly, capital of Northern Cape. In their youth they listened to American rhythm and blues, reggae and traditional African music, which had an impact on their sound.

In their earlier career they backed local stars Lucky Dube and Yvonne Chaka Chaka on European tours.

Record industry boss Chris Ghelakis then took the new band under his wing. Dr Victor and the Rasta Rebels' first album largely included cover versions. Reggae star Grant's Give Me Hope Jo'anna and pop singer Dr Alban's Hello Africa hits also featured on the album.

The band has subsequently grown in popularity and have performed as support acts to international stars such as Paul Simon, Shabba Ranks and Tina Turner.

In 1997 they released a new album Fatty Boom Boom and supported Cuban-born pop diva Gloria Estefan during her SA performances.
This year they performed huge applause in Kampala, Uganda, for the Ugandan King Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi's birthday celebrations. So check them out at 9pm at the Blues Room on Wednesday.