Shiraz was a South African Hi-NRG group from the 1980s best known for their song "Fighting For Our Lives".

History

Shiraz was formed in 1984 as 'Jeraz' originally, a club band who performed for six months in newly opened 'Club '84' in

Pretoria Pretoria () is South Africa's administrative capital, serving as the seat of the Executive (government), executive branch of government, and as the host to all foreign embassies to South Africa. Pretoria straddles the Apies River and extends ...

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...

. After firing their founder and manager, they renamed the band "Shiraz" and with a newly appointed drummer and keyboard player, continued performing at various venues around greater

Johannesburg Johannesburg ( , , ; Zulu and xh, eGoli ), colloquially known as Jozi, Joburg, or "The City of Gold", is the largest city in South Africa, classified as a megacity, and is one of the 100 largest urban areas in the world. According to Demo ...

(Riebeek hotel in Springs and the Germiston Hotel) until their break-up in December 1985. The band's line-up was Victor Kotzen and Liz Allen (vocals), Grant Fisher (bassist), Marshall Harmse (lead guitar), Eddie Gilbert (keyboards and saxophone), Pierre de Vos (drums). The song "Fighting for our lives" was recorded in 1984 in conjunction with producers Paul Crossley and Terry Owen who presented the lyrics to Fisher and asked the band to put it to music. Fisher and Harmse then collaborated to write the music and play the instruments in the studio version. They performed the song live in multiple clubs around

. The song addressed the

HIV/Aids pandemic The global epidemic of HIV/AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) began in 1981, and is an ongoing worldwide public health issue. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of 2021, HIV/AI ...

that was starting to become a widespread disease during 1984 when the song was released.Grant Fisher Fisher currently lives in

Germany Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...

and Harmse currently works for Mathambo Productions, and who was involved with South Africa's official presentation video for the winning

2010 FIFA World Cup , image = 2010 FIFA World Cup.svg , size = 200px , caption = ''Ke Nako. (Tswana and Sotho for "It's time") Celebrate Africa's Humanity'It's time. Celebrate Africa's Humanity'' (English)''Dis tyd. Vier Afrika se mensd ...

soccer bid. In 1987, People Like Us covered the Shiraz song "Fighting For Our Lives".

References

Extended Links

Biography of Marshall Harmse

{{DEFAULTSORT:Shiraz (Band) Hi-NRG groups South African electronic music groups