Ricky Fataar (born September 5, 1952) is a South African multi-instrumentalist of Malay descent, who has performed as both a drummer, and a guitarist. He gained fame as an actor in the comedic television movie, The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash, a spoof on the actual history of The Beatles, and for his performance as a member of The Beach Boys. Fataar may also be recognized for his contributions as a record producer, and has worked on projects scoring music to film and television.
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Music career
The Flames
Fataar's first childhood band was The Flames, a band from his birthplace of Durban, South Africa that began in 1963. He joined the band at the age of nine. The band made several recordings as well as touring all over Southern Africa and before long they became quite popular in South Africa. By the time he was twelve years old he had already won the honour of being voted as the "Best Rock Drummer in South Africa."[citation needed]
In 1968 the band moved to London and began touring in the United Kingdom. On one of their tours, they were spotted by a member of The Beach Boys, Carl Wilson. He was impressed by their talent and offered to sign them to the Beach Boys new record label, Brother Records.[1] The band moved to Los Angeles, US, and they recorded and released their 1970 album The Flame with Carl Wilson producing the album.
Beach Boys
The Flames dissolved in late 1970. Fataar and his fellow former Flame bandmate Blondie Chaplin were recruited by the Beach Boys, in 1971. Fataar was asked to play drums for the band after drummer Dennis Wilson suffered a debilitating hand accident. The duo recorded two albums with the Beach Boys, and began touring with them in 1970. The 1972 Beach Boys album
Rutles
In 1978, Fataar starred in All You Need Is Cash, a mockumentary film known more commonly as "The Rutles", a spoof on the real life history of The Beatles, which had a follow up to a Saturday Night Live television sketch, which is a popular comedy show in the United States. His character was Stig O'Hara, the band's guitarist, (analogous to George Harrison). He has no speaking part in the film, and indeed he is sent up as "the quiet one" in it.[1]
Other projects
Film and television scores
Fataar has also combined his talents as an actor and a musician, developing musical scores for both film and television. An example includes the composition of the score for an Australian film Spotswood.
As recording producer
Working in his capacity as producer, Fataar has produced the music for various films that include High Tide, Les Patterson Saves the World, and The Coca-Cola Kid, in which he makes a cameo appearance as an actor as well.
Other work
Fataar has worked as a session musician, notably for Ian McLagan as well as other artists, as a drummer. Fataar emigrated to Australia in 1978 where he recorded with and co-produced albums for Tim Finn, Crowded House, Jenny Morris, Peter Blakeley, and Wendy Matthews as well as various other artists.[1]
In 1979 Fataar was introduced to Bonnie Raitt, and recorded on her Green Light album. In 2002, he joined up with Raitt, and has been a member of Raitt's band.[2] Fataar continued to work in between other projects as a sideman for many artists, usually as a drummer.
Personal life
Richard Fataar was married to the fashion model Penelope Tree with whom he had one child, Paloma Fataar. The marriage ended, and Fataar has been romantically linked for years to dancer Valerie Velardi, the former wife of comedian Robin Williams. She gave birth to his second daughter, Francesca Fataar, in 1992.
References
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