Tributes pour in for late musician Steve Fataar

Abdur Rahman Fataar as he's also known died in the early hours of Saturday morning, just hours after performing at Zach's in Durban.

He was laid to rest on Saturday evening.

Fataar rose to prominence after he started the band 'The Flames' with his brothers in the 60s. One of his brothers went on to join 'The Beach Boys'.

A memorial service is being planned for him and set to take place in the coming days.

Fataar's friend of 30 years, Eric Appelgren, says the musician always had an amazing gift of bringing people together.

"He died in his sleep at 3am in the morning, and he was playing music with us. We had many people there of all ages of all races, and I think that's the unique thing about Steve - he broke barriers at a time when the government forced us to be separate, but he was able to, through his music, bring us together and he never ever stopped doing that until his last day. He was a living legend for a very long time."

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Fellow musicians and some of his closest friends paid tribute to him on the Jane-Linley Thomas Show. 

Pianist, Melvin Peters says Fataar leaves behind an incredible legacy worthy of emulation.

"Steve was someone who had a generous spirit as well as a big heart, and he certainly paid his dues in terms of giving back to the community at large. So we can certainly celebrate a life that was well-lived."

Former eThekwini Speaker, Logie Naidoo says Fataar was robbed of international fame and glory because of Apartheid.

"Apartheid laws forced them into exile, and they played on the international stage, getting recognition during the bad old days. Steve Fataar was a wonderful musician, a humanist and a great son of the city of Durban."

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Award-winning musician and producer Tresor, says when he arrived in Durban ten years ago from the DRC, Fataar extended a helping hand to him.

"When I use to do open mics on the beachfront, he would give me such incredible advice about my music career and how to navigate it and how to navigate pretty much everything about the music industry and I am really grateful I got to cross paths with him."

Splashy Fen Festival Organiser, Stu Berry says Fataar has contributed a lot to the KZN music industry.

Berry says the guitarist played at the festival two years ago.

"The most lasting thing for us is the number of musicians in South Africa, particularly KZN that he has touched an there is absolutely no doubt he has contributed significantly if not one of the most significant to the KZN music industry and the upbringing of new artists."