Al Debbo


Al Debbo was a South African comedian, singer and actor. As one of the most famous artists of his generation he made an enormous contribution to Afrikaner music and culture.

Early life

Alec Debbo, the son of Lebanese parents, was born in Bloemfontein, South Africa. As a child he had to help out in his parents’ general merchandise store. His parents taught him Lebanese Arabic and English but he learned Afrikaans at an early age, because Afrikaans was the dominant language in Bloemfontein.
In school concerts he displayed a knack for making people laugh but he did not see comedy as a viable career, so after he matriculated he qualified as a plumber. Singing and comedy remained his hobbies and he performed at functions and weddings. In 1947 everything changed after his friends dared him to participate in a countrywide talent competition, associated with the South African Industries Fair, which he won. As a result, he landed his first film role in Die Kaskenades van Dokter Kwak. It lasted only three minutes but it was enough to generate national recognition.

Career

Film

Debbo made his film debut in Die Kaskenades van Dokter Kwak in 1949.
After his success in films such as Alles sal regkom, Dis lekker om te lewe and Fratse in die vloot, he made his debut as producer in the 1961 film Boerboel de Wet. In 1969 he produced the film Stadig oor die klippe, while playing the lead role of Boetie Flenters. However, Al always thought that Donker Afrika was his best film. He appeared in over twenty films, in a movie career that spanned more than 60 years. His last appearance was in the 2004 movie, Oh Schuks... I'm Gatvol, which was directed by Leon Schuster.

Music

In 1968 Al had a runaway success with his rendition of Hasie, a song composed by Nico Carstens and Anton de Waal. After this, the man with the rolling eyes, funny hat and oversized glasses completed 11 music albums. In 1996 he issued his second-last album, called Ek lewe nog. Four years later, in 2000, his "greatest hits" album appeared, called Pieringoog Potpourri – Al Debbo sê dankie.
Some of Debbo's greatest hits were:
  • Baas Jack
  • Bloubergstrand
  • Boerekos
  • Bokkie
  • Bolandse Nooientjie
  • Brakkie in die Venster
  • Byt Vissie Byt
  • Daar Kom die Alibama
  • Die Brakke van Turffontein
  • Die Spook
  • Die Tantes van Nantes
  • Ding Dong
  • Ek Kan My Lag nie Hou nie
  • Ek Ry met die Trein
  • Hasie
  • Hoë Polvy
  • Hy baba Riebab
  • Kappit Yt
  • Kiewiet
  • Koos van der Merwe
  • My Dolla is ‘n Loskop
  • Riksjabooi
  • Sikkedoema
  • Sonbrilletjies
  • Sousboontjies
  • Stellenbosch die Roep My
  • Stompie
  • Tamatiesous en Kerriekos
  • Teddiebeer
  • Vlooi

Final recognition and death

In 2011 Al Debbo was awarded the Comics Choice Awards lifetime achievement honor for his contributions to South Africa's entertainment industry.
Debbo was admitted to the Bloemfontein Medi-Clinic in June 2011 for treatment of a lung infection and a heart condition. He died three weeks later at the hospital, on 13 July 2011, at the age of 87.

Filmography

  • 1948 – Die Kaskenades van Dr. Kwak
  • 1949 – Kom Saam Vanaand
  • 1950 – Hier's Ons Weer
  • 1951 – Alles Sal Regkom
  • 1952 – Altyd in my Drome
  • 1957 – Dis Lekker om te Lewe
  • 1957 – Donker Afrika
  • 1958 – Fratse in die Vloot
  • 1960 – Hou die Blinkkant Bo
  • 1961 – Boerboel de Wet
  • 1962 – Gevaarlike Spel
  • 1962 – Tom, Dirk en Herrie
  • 1962 – Die Geheim van Onderplaas
  • 1964 – Die Wonderwêreld van Kammie Kamfer
  • 1969 – Stadig oor die Klippe )
  • 1970 – Satan's Harvest
  • 1974 – Pens en Pootjies
  • 1975 – Kniediep
  • 1976 – Haak Vrystaat
  • 2004 – Oh Shucks I'm Gatvol

Discography

Albums

  • 1949 Kom Saam Vanaand
  • 1952 Altyd in my Drome
  • 1954 Die Skatkis van Afrikaanse Musiek – with Nico Carstens, His Master's Voice 10" LP
  • 1957 Donker Afrika
  • 1964 Die Wonderwêreld van Kammie Kamfer - Al Debbo with Nico Carstens, Columbia 33JSX 11059
  • 1968 Baas Jack – with Nico Carstens, Columbia JSX 11124
  • 1968 Sonbrilletjies – with Nico Carstens, Columbia JSX 11135
  • 1969 Die Beste van Al en Nico – with Nico Carstens, Columbia JSX 11142
  • 1969 Stadig oor die Klippe – with Nico Carstens, Columbia SCXJ 11157
  • 1970 Die Tantes van Nantes of Nantes, a fictional farm made famous by a – with Nico Carstens, Columbia SCXJ 11180
  • 1974 Pens en Pooitjies
  • 1978 Zulu Warrior – with Nico Carstens, MFP SRSJ 8089
  • 1996 Ek lewe nog
  • 2000 Pieringoog Potpourri – Al Debbo sê Dankie