vale Ray hoff and Lou Casch(the Dee Jays)

Australian rock'n'roll of the 50's & early 60's 2 lost legendary performers in 2 weeks in march. 1st was rock singer Ray Hoff who had a band called the Offbeats in the late 50's & 60's passed away on march 19th had been sick in recent times as he had cancer and a stroke and it's an big loss for OZ ROck. he formed the offbeats in the late 50's which had jimmy taylor on piano and Leon Isackson on drums who went to play with Dig Richards & the R'JAys, the rajahs,the delltones and plays with Aussie 50's rock Lonnie Lee these days. Hoff appeared on Six O'Clock rock and changed his style of music in the 60's into R&N and soul music which he was then based in Perth. He performed in Vietnam during the 60's and would continue to perform throughout the years including Wintersun,east coast blues & roots Festival and tamworth until the last few years due to ill health. i had the pleasure of meeting ray 6 years which was at Wintersun @ the Coolangatta Bowls Club which he performed with Dave Bridge trio on June 12th and 13th 2004 and I met ray on the 12th during an break which he signed an autograph for me & said to me that he an school friend named luke. I am lucky to have met an legend and wish i could have an photo with him. the 2nd rocker who passed on march 24th was Lou Casch who played with johnny and the dee jays in the late 50's & 60's which he played on many of the Johnny O'keefe hits. he was in ambon,indonesia on may 25th 1924 and played guitaR ata early age and had been an dedicated jazz musician. he came to australia in 1952 and met O'keefe through keith Williams who played in the dee jays and later with Johnny rebb and the rebels.his first gig with the dee jays were at stones cabaret in coogee anbd would play 4 dances a week and perform between movies at the embasst theatre. he would be with the dee jays until 1984 when he retired. rest in Peace ray and Lou and may your work live on forever