Blondie Chaplin is a South African rock singer, guitarist and bass player, born in 1951. He started out as the singer and guitarist for The Kittens, a Durban-based rock band, and in 1967 was recruited to join the Flames, as a vocalist and rhythm guitarist. During his stay with the band he sang many of their lead vocals, including their hit cover of “For Your Precious Love,” and appeared on three albums : Burning Soul! (1967), Soulfire!! (1967) and The Flame (1970). He moved to the United States along with the rest of the band at the behest of Carl Wilson of the Beach Boys to join their label, Brother Records, which distributed the album.

Amidst of recording a second US album, the Flames broke up in 1971, and Chaplin was officially recruited into the Beach Boys in 1972 along with bandmate Ricky Fataar, and played bass, guitar and sang leads, appearing on three albums again : “Carl and the Passions – So Tough” (1972), “Holland” (1973) and the live In Concert (1973) album. The duo wrote several songs for the two studio albums and Blondie sang lead on the hit Brian Wilson-penned “Sail On Sailor.” However, in 1973 due to problems with the band’s management, Blondie left the band.

Following his departure, he recorded his self-titled album “Blondie Chaplin” in 1977, and spent the following years as a touring musician, playing amongst others with Rick Danko, the Band, The Byrds, and the David Johansen band, as well as appearing on studio recordings for the bands in question. Starting in 1997, he became a touring musician for the Rolling Stones. He recorded two more solo albums in 2001 and 2006, the most recent being “Between Us.” He also formed the band Skollie with Anton Fig and Keith Lentin.

The surviving members of the Flames, including Chaplin, Ricky Fataar and Steve Fataar, performed two reunion shows in 2001 and 2011 in South Africa.

In 2013 he became associated with the Beach Boys once more and toured with Brian Wilson’s band, and appeared on his 2015 album No Pier Pressure, most notably on the track “Sail Away.” He toured with the band again in 2016 and throughout 2022.