I started first with Igbo music called Ekpili at the age of 17. That was in 1965. We were only two, Alexander Emelumonye and myself.
In 1970, after the civil war, I travelled to Aba in search of a job. I met a good friend, Obed Okoroafor, from Mbaise. He is a good congarist. I was a good guitarist and vocalist. I decided to stop local music entirely and look for something bigger than Ekpili music. So, both of us were looking for what to do. We met a musical band, Sunny Agaga and his Lucky Star Band that came from Lagos to play in Aba. They were about to perform and I approached the band leader, Sunny Agaga. I told him that we would like to feature with them, and that if possible, he could employ us. He said he would not answer me but that I should come when they are ready to perform. When it was time we went there. He gave me the guitar, I started backing them up, then as the music changed I followed up and Sunny automatically employed me. Because he had good drummers, he did not want Obed, but I pleaded with him. He agreed to employ him. After the tour, we proceeded to Lagos. I had never been to Lagos before and when we arrived, I saw electricity everywhere, even on the streets. We went to Alara Street, Onike, Yaba, behind Queens College. There was no show for about three weeks. I told myself that these people are not business-like.
I started looking for another band. Luckily, I met Jacob Oluwole and his Friendly Unity Band. I went to them at Oshodi. I was interviewed and got employed. They also got me an accommodation. They were preparing for a recording with the title, Agbasisi. We recorded it and it became a hit and the talk of the town.
Later, I started noticing that they were not as friendly and united as their name implied. They quarreled, argued and fought a lot. I do not like people who are quarrelsome, because music does not go with fighting and disunity. Luckily, I met another musician, Sule Agboola and his Moonlight Star Band. They were preparing for summer tour of Europe. This was in 1973. They got me an international passport and visa. We left Nigeria on July 13, 1973. We were in London and only performed at the weekends. So I was able to secure a part time job that I was paid 80 pounds a week. We were in London for four months. I used the money I earned from my job to buy two guitars, two amplifiers, and a set of drums. This was in preparation for my own band. When we returned, I told the band leader that I had to be on my own, but that if they had any show or recording, they should call me to assist.
In 1974, I composed a number, Messiah, Messiah. There were five tracks in all. I went to Alhaji Olatunde Yusuf. He was the chairman of Olumo Records Limited. I told him I needed some money to do a talent hunt. I went round some nite clubs picking some good musicians. I started rehearsals with them. I remembered that our last rehearsal day was when General Murtala Muhammed was overthrown. People were running helter skelter and there was curfew. In fact, that was what made that record very remarkable.
When we did the recording, it was wonderful and Olumo said it was nice, that he was going to wax it to give it a professional touch. He took the master tape of Messiah, Messiah and waxed it.
When it came out, it sold more than 50,000 copies. That was the first impression. It was the talk of the town. It was popular in the East, West, North and even Cote d’Ivoire, Congo, Togo and Cameron. A lot of people said Oliver De Conquer is from Cameron while some said I was from Congo. This was because the record was a success. I bought three brand new vehicles and employed three drivers in one day. Then came the evergreen chartburster: IDENTITY.
In 1979, when I came out with People’s Club Ka anyi bili be ndu (People’s Club let us enjoy ourselves), I sold two million copies. In fact, it was my greatest hit. It was from it that people stopped doubting whether I am a Nigerian, a Cameroonian or a Congolese. There were a lot of Igbo idioms and proverbs with very deep meanings which portrayed me as a typical Igbo man.
Born on April 14, 1947, the musician died on June 20, 2008.
Source: Baale Dele Adeyanju Agbaletu’s Facebook page
