One man, two careers. Photo: Marnette Meyer

Celebrated singer and songwriter Tony Ridgway has a vision for the rest of his life, and the next 12 months in particular. “I’m going to become a full-time writer,” he announces in what used to be his recording studio in Melkbosstrand. “My aim is to write for the rest of my life.”

It is surprising news coming from the frontman of Rocking Horse. But there’s more. The studio has been mostly stripped of its recording equipment, because Tony gets the itch to write a song as soon as he sees the equipment. The name of his studio which used to be on the wall outside the house has likewise been removed. It brought too many visitors.

Rocking Horse performing. Photo: Provided

For the past few months the man who prided himself on taking only 20 minutes to write a song that would be performed by the likes of Kurt Darren and Juanita du Plessis has been tied down to a chair in this room. “It’s been hell, sitting down for three hours a day, writing and editing,” Tony says but he doesn’t sound unhappy. The book’s contents can’t be discussed too much out of fear that it could jinx it. Suffice it to say that it is about “a hitman and his cat. It’s a spoof with tons of humour in it.” Tony shows a mock-up of a book of his poetry entitled My Write Hand which will also be published next year.

From left to right: Tony Ridgway, Clive Ridgway and Barry Buret. Photo: Provided

So will there be no more music-making? “You ask, am I going to leave the music industry? I can’t. I love making pop. I love making three minute pop songs. I can’t really get away from the group. The people in the group are my best friends. Rocking Horse has been together for 30 years. We have a following; perhaps it is more of a cult
following —.”

Highway to Nowhere’s dramatic cover. Photo: Provided

Which brings one to the topic of Rocking Horse’s latest CD Highway going Nowhere. The CD’s cover features the group standing on the edge of one of the unfinished highways in Cape Town. “Highway Going Nowhere sounds pessimistic but it’s optimistic. It’s social commentary on Cape Town,” Tony says. “We have two unfinished bridges in Cape Town. The bridges were built 40 years ago. They’re like arms or claws reaching out to each other, getting there.”