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AFTER 10 years in the music industry, former Plush frontman Rory Eliot will record his first solo album during a live performance at the Theatre @ The Pavilion on Friday, 9 and Saturday, 10 March.

Born on the Natal South Coast, Rory's interest in music began at school where he found himself influenced by various rock and alternative bands such as Nirvana. After school, he moved to ?Maritzburg to study drama.

During his studies Rory met his friend Chas Smit, who shared his passion for music, and the two decided to form a small band - Plush.

"I think the only time my parents? patience was slightly tested was when, in my final year, I announced that I was going to drop out to pursue a full time career in the music industry," says Rory.

In 2002 Rory and Chas entered Plush in the National Battle of the Bands competition in which they came up against over 500 bands from around the country and, much to their surprise and delight, won.

After that Plush gained popularity around the country and eventually made the decision to move to Cape Town and began laying down some tracks.

In 2004 Plush released the debut album All that I should be to a crowd of about 750 people at the Armchair Theatre in Observatory. The album was a hit and quite suddenly their music was receiving airplay on most local radio stations. It was also featured on SABC's Going Nowhere Slowly and on MTV in the UK.

Then in 2005, after performing together for nine years and going from strength to strength both in their careers and friendship, the team of Rory and Chas came to end as Chas' life was tragically taken by a drunk driver.

Devastated at the loss of his best friend Rory stepped away from the music and took some time to mourn and reflect on what had happened and make some decisions about the future.

Now Rory is back at the microphone and eager to begin recording.

"Chas is in all my songs," says Rory. "He was like my brother and losing him was the toughest thing I have ever been through. What I write now is filled with a lot of raw emotion and basically comes from my heart."

For his live recording Rory joins forces with former Plush member Ben Peters to work on his debut solo album, which he hopes to release in the middle of this year.

The show also highlights Rory's brainchild Elitainment - Mother City Imports, a project aimed at bringing talent from around the country to perform on a large scale and help improve the industry.

"Performers will be treated like superstars, perform in large venues and basically get the treatment they deserve," says Rory. "Being an artist myself I know how I would like to be treated, plus I have a knack for business, so that gives me a bit of an edge."

Elitainment also hopes to help young artists "cut corners" and get a foot in the door more easily.

The live recording, which starts at 20:00 is preceded by a buffet dinner at Fascination Café, the restaurant at Theatre @ The Pavilion, starting at 18:00. Show tickets cost R80, and a combined dinner and show ticket costs R200 per person.

To book phone (021) 419-7661 or e-mail: lindsay@thepavilion.co.za.

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