André Hattingh was devasted by yet another loss of someone in the arts when a chorus line crossed her mind; she wrote the line and turned it into a song dedicated to artists that have left us.
South Africa (29 March 2022) – Singer, actress, television personality, recording artist, fashion designer and cancer survivor André Hattingh has been actively involved in the South African entertainment industry for over 47 years.
André is proud to release her new song entitled “Gathering the Stars”, a musical tribute to those in the local entertainment industry who passed away between March 2020 and March 2022, as well as paying homage to everyone in the arts and culture sector which has been ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown and resulting in ongoing restrictions.
The passing of so many industry friends and colleagues since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic over two years ago and not being able to say goodbye or pay her respects weighed heavily on André. This was compounded by the suffering and losses experienced by friends, fellow artists, crew, musicians, and the live entertainment industry as a whole.
“I felt I had to do something,” says André. “So, I wrote a poem called “Gathering the Stars” which I guess was also on my mind as a song. One evening while standing in the kitchen, reeling after hearing of yet another friend’s passing, that the chorus came to me. We’re gathering the stars, The show will still go on, After you’ve gone, you’ll still linger on, In the hearts that you’ve won.”
The song developed, and after many difficulties and challenges, André was joined by a committed team of friends and industry professionals who not only shared her passion to record and share “Gathering the Stars” across South Africa; they freely gave their time and expertise. Sung by André Hattingh, accompanied by pianist Kevin Greenberg, “Gathering the Stars” was recorded under the guidance of musician, conductor and producer Joe Arthur. Filmed at Daphne Kuhn’s Theatre on the Square and also produced by director-cameraman Dominic Black with choreography and production management by Yolanda Kimber. Anthony Akerman and Daphne Kuhn shared Andre’s dream from start to finish and, together with friend and agent Mairi Cameron, offered copious amounts of encouragement.
This song is about togetherness, about saying goodbye to “the Stars” who gave us their finest performances while ensuring that the “show will still go on”.
“Gathering the Stars” is a tribute to the 142 plus people in the entertainment business who are no longer with us, but it is also intended to help to create an awareness of the plight of this industry. #gatheringthestarsSA
“I am appealing to people to listen to the song and share it or the video clip far and wide,” says André Hattingh.
“Gathering the Stars” is available on Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes Store, Deezer, Amazon Music, Tidal and YouTube Music. The video clip is available on the YouTube partner channel, PlayZA.
A Christmas Tradition Is Bringing Joy to Hundreds of Durban Grannies and Grandpas!
SA's Academy of Science Recognises the Nation's Leading Scholars
by 
