The group Rainbow was formed in June 1982, King William’s Town, South Africa, by founder member Selwyn Arends, artist/composer/songwriter, also running a homemade studio from his house 44 Alice street, King William’s Town and is also sole owner of the band Rainbow. The group was formed in Old Town, King William’s Town, also the birth place of Selwyn

Early days the band practiced in a tent in Selwyn’s yard and used a generator to supply electrical current for their needs.

Old town, the place where all this happened was to be abandoned with the announcing of the then "Apartheid’s Group Area’s Act" in 1984. All non-whites like Selwyn himself, had to leave town forcefully because of this act. Rainbow band was only about three years going about it’s thing, when this ordeal took place.

Practice was continued at a farm house 7 km from King William's Town that Selwyn rented from a Mr. Rheeder. This only lasted a short while though, because soon the group members complained about "wear and tear" on their vehicles.

The same year 1984 the group was rehearsing at 85 Marigold Street, in Breidbach, King William's Town, South Africa, in the lounge of drummer, Hendry Weston. Selwyn also stayed here for a while, before he moved back to his sister in town.

The Zwelitsha team. [22 Wynyard Street]

Round about 1985, he met a set of new players from Zwelitsha and surrounding areas. These guy’s were good musicians and very keen to practice even though the situation of things, "considering that none of the band members actually worked, was totally against them". all the same, good music was played and good live shows performed. Great live shows were played at the then "Lennox Sebe and Franfort College" that kept the students asking for more. Rainbow was becoming a household name. The group for two years after each other closed the well known "Shell Road to Fame" talent search competition with their lively sounds. 1987 and 1988 saw them taking part as finalists in this competition performing Selwyn’s own compositions. Because of their mellow sounds, they were asked to perform last, both years.

This was the groups first real achievement.

The 1^st S.A.B.C. Demo Recording.

Rainbow band had an opportunity about 1988, to do a demo recording at the then old S.A.B.C. radio Xhosa building in King William’s Town, now "Umhlobo Wenene," in Port Elizabeth. This was the groups first live recording.

The sound engineer was well impressed with the group performing some of Selwyn’s own compositions. This laid the foundation for Selwyn to gain more confidence and to write more songs.

1985 to 1988 saw the band performing their best live performances round and about King William's Town They also helped organizations/churches/schools/clubs/etc., to collect funds for the different charities. As usual the reward was much less than expected.

This happiness was short lived until about the end of 1988, when Selwyn moved from, 22 Wynyard street, King William's Town This move also resulted in some members going to places like Johannesburg, and others to further their studies in Durban.

Today some of these members are playing professional music with other bands. One thing we know, Rainbow laid the foundation, and the rest was up to them.

Selwyn and c.c.p. Recording. Co. [Peter Tladi]

1989, Selwyn once again met a set of new players from Mdantsane, etc. this was just when he got an opportunity to do a recording deal in Johannesburg, with C.C.P. record company.

A certain Mr. peter Tladi, from Johannesburg, who worked for the company, spotted him and his group at the "Shell Road to Fame" talent contest where he was a judge. Selwyn met Selwyn Shandell, from Shandell studios, who worked with him on two of his compositions – (1)"Free Me and (2)Rainbow". Lead guitarist of the group, "Umzwanele Solomon", was the only member that had a chance to do recordings with Selwyn. Unfortunately "Shandell" had to go on leave and it was close to Christmas so the project was temporarily closed. Because of some misunderstanding between Selwyn and C.C.P.’s secretary, the deal was never finished. They only worked on the instrumental side using midi/sequencer etc., no vocals and live guitaring was done yet. Heartbroken, Selwyn continued his journey by teaming up with the musicians from Mdantsane.

At this same period of time he met Duck Chowles, from Nu-Strand studios, port Elizabeth, (now closed down), who gave him a free recording deal. a 5 year deal was signed up, but Selwyn only released 2 albums, "Free Me and 2 Good 2 Be True," with them.

The first album was a solo project, cause the band was not active at this time. Only one remaining backing/vocal lady of the group, "Thembisa May", from Nontchampa location, near King William's Town was backing up Selwyn, and he himself. a lot of time was taken to complete this album. Eventually the album was released in 1991, through "Gallo recording company" in Johannesburg. All Gallo did was to fly him up to Johannesburg where he had interviews at radio Thoyhandau in Venda and Petersburg. Because of no promotion, the album was deleted after 3 months. Empty promises of launching the albums/video shooting etc., was only in words and the reality of it all was very disappointing.

On the other side not much came from Nu-Strand studios.

The 2^nd album, "2 Good 2 Be True" was done about 1992. This time with a live group as back-up. The bassman and the drummer was from Mdantsane, the guitarist from Zwelitsha, the percussionist from Paarl, and backing vocalist from Nonchampa location. Most of the members stayed with Selwyn and he was responsible for their everyday needs. Extensive time was also used to prepare for this album. Lead guitarist of the group Z. Solomon left the group a month before recording time. A replacement was made with rhythm guitarist "Cory Toko". the sound was never the same though. Just like the first album, this album was also backed-up by studio-lead-guitarist F. Maghwana from Port Elizabeth. Not much preparation though, if you consider that he had a limited time to do fill ups. Selwyn was never really happy with this but he had no option, as this was the only guitarist around. No recording deal was signed up with this album, just a verbal agreement between Selwyn and Nu-Strand studios. All the proceeds was suppose to be split 50/50.

Once in a while Selwyn would get hand written statements about the sales of his music because this time the studio was making its own copies of his two releases and those of other artists. The cassettes (only form), was bought from the studio and had to be sold to make a profit. The group had to use their equipment to promote their albums on the streets. The group never really gained any profits and both albums had no launching. The studio in their turn also sold the cassettes on the streets and to shops etc. it was these kind of statements that Selwyn had to rely on about the sales of his music from their end. One would never know the real truth seeing that he stayed in a small town far from port Elizabeth.

Sadly, this studio came to close down shortly after this squabble. But up until now nothing was ever heard from "Duck Chowles" again.