Eddie Eckstein
Edwin Richard Eckstein (Eddie) was born in Johannesburg on 29 November 1939. He completed his (junior and high) schooling at Marist Brothers in Observatory. He joined a banking group as a clerk for five years while moonlighting as a singer in his spare time. He cut his show-business teeth as a Rock ‘n Roll singer with the Al Willox Quartet. He appeared on Rhodesian television regularly in die early sixties with Flippie van Vuuren’s band and later joined the Jimmie Rayson Combo. After the demise of The Bats, Eddie followed a solo career as an actor and comedian. He took the part of Mannie Bloom in John Cundill’s television series Oh George. He then spent one year in Sydney, Australia, where he appeared in I love my Wife. Since returning to South Africa in 1983, his theatre appearances have included starring roles in Little Shop of Horrors, Pyjama Tops, Not Now Darling, Grin and Bear It and What about Love. He also did a Christmas season at the Wild Coast Sun in a show called Cyclone Eddie in December 1989.
U wanna cry? ……. Don’t book him.
U wanna disastrous function? ………Look somewhere else.
U want the most memorable, talked about event of the old and new millennium – book Eddie now!
The last laugh’s on him!!
Eckstein is a familiar face to many South Africans. Having been the drummer and lead vocalist of The Bats for many years, he turned his talents to the stage and theatre when the band called it a day.
He now concentrates mainly on corporate and promotional cabaret.
What a comic our Eddie is! Known and applauded for his spontaneous on- and off-stage humour, Eddie is more than amply gifted with a natural knack for physical comedy – ranking amongst the likes of Michael Richards (Seinfeld), John Ritter (Three’s Company) and Rowan Atkinson (Mr Bean) Eddie has the audiences in stitches as he pokes fun at his own physique, the ‘boep’, the double chin, his height – all come under serious attack in true Eddie fashion!
But don’t be fooled! Place the man behind a set of drums and his vigour is boundless as he pounds the skins with the energy of a 15 year old.