Theo danced his last dance 26th September 2004 a month before his dear friend & music colleague, Clem Tholet joined him. We couldn't believe it either. Ritchie (Morris) called from Nebo Farm to let us know that Theo died in the early hours of Sunday morning - doing what he loved doing best - dancing! Sincerest condolences to Daya, his many friends & family.

Such sad news - for those of us he left behind; Thank God for the love that he spent his life spreading around - the Guru of Nebo, Lord of the Trance Dance, and the man who transformed Pretoria through Folk Music, in the bizarre political 60's & 70's, has bowed out forever, in the way he loved best - on the dance floor.

Theo Coetzee spent his last few years just as he had planned; back on the land, with his guitar in hand & with his close friends... dancing!

Theo will be beaming around somewhere in the great unknown, so the best we can wish for is that the void & the special space he left down here be forever filled by the generosity & free spirit of his love & light. One unique Oke who spent a lifetime teaching & training people to lead a better lekker life. His wiry ways & infectious steps will not be lost on those of us lucky enough to have been moved by him.

As Theo always says - Well no yes man, lekker lex....

Theo was buried on Nebo Farm on Saturday 2nd October 2004.

3rd Ear Music will post, in more detail later, a full CV / Biog of Theo - a remarkable man & team-leader (PhD in Psychology, PTA) who kept the Folk Movement alive in Pretoria against all sorts of political, social & economic odds. It was Theo who helped me manage to tour this country (post 1994) with Crosby, Stills & Nash, Shawn Phillips, Kinky Friedman & Ritchie Havens. He did these 3rd Ear Music shows - and countless others besides for the pure joy & love of it all - and nothing pleased Theo more than to see a satisfied audience. No matter that we lost fortunes. Theo even lost his house on one tour, but as usual, managed to pick himself up to retire to Nebo Farm.

With Love from Fran, David Marks & Family, 3rd Ear Music & the Hidden Years Music Archive Project, Sept 2004.

Manager Arlo Hennings & legendary Texan Singer Songwriter Shawn Phillips, have posted a special WebPage, dedicated to the memory of Theo - who was 3rd Ear Music's partner & Tour Manager responsible for bringing Shawn to South Africa & Splashy Fen, in April 1994.

www.shawnphillips.com/Theo/theo_coetzee.htm

Arlo Hennings Manager www.shawnphillips.com
www.shawnphillips.com/store.htm
www.amazon.com