What's Hot?
From Peace To Nollywood: Towards The Next 30...
Three Decades Of Nollywood: Scholars, Literary Enthusiasts Hail...
Tems Wins First-ever Grammy, As Burna Boy Loses...
Court Orders Oxlade To Pay ₦5m Indemnity Over...
Artists gearing up for the Harlem fine arts...
International tourist arrivals doubled in 2022: UN
Amoako Boafo’s Launch of Ghana Residency Was a...
Morocco: National Finery Museum Reopens to Critical Aclaim
Five years after, Lagos Inaugurates Randle Centre for...
The future of global music is African
The Culture Newspaper
  • Home
  • Arts & Exhibitions
  • Culture & Festivals
    • Culture Africana
    • Culture People
  • Fashion & Lifestyle
    • Music, Movies & More
  • News
    • Travel News
  • Opinion
    • Reviews (The Critics)
  • TCN Literati
  • Tourism & Hospitality
Opinion

…And The “Evil Genius of Highlife” Blasts His Last Note!

by Femi Akintunde-Johnson February 22, 2020
by Femi Akintunde-Johnson February 22, 2020

We are grateful to God that while he was alive and well with us, this tribute was penned at the dawn of the new millennium (in 1999)… But at high noon on Wednesday, February 12, 2020, the pioneer of pioneers took a final blast on his trumpet, as he bowed…out of this strange and beautiful world.
–
VICTOR OWOLABI ABIMBOLA OLAIYA, OON


He was born in Calabar, December 31, almost (69) years ago (now 89). At different points in his apprenticeship, Olaiya worked with Bobby Benson, Sam Akpabot, Lagos City Orchestra and Ritz Tempo Orchestra.

(Almost a decade) before he formed his own All Stars Orchestra, the “Evil Genius of Highlife” (as coined by great journalist of the 60s/70s, Alade Odunewu, aka Allah De) founded Cool Cats Orchestra with A.B. Cole in1954.

The unique vocal attribute and dexterity on wind instruments of V.O.A. Olaiya trumpeted his contributions to the pantheon of great Nigerian music. We cannot forget Omo Pupa, llu Le O, Lafiaji, lye Jemila, (Yabomisa, So Fun Mi, Mofe Mu Yan, Labalaba, Pariboto Riboto, Lafia We Lawani, F’eso Jaiye, Ai Ga Ne, Oruku Tindi Tindi), etc.

In 1963, Olaiya bagged a honorary doctorate degree in far away Prague, old Czechoslovakia. (36) years after, we salute the great moving spirit of Nigerian highlife in this millennium – Dr. Victor Olaiya.
–
POSTSCRIPT: It is largely, I suspect, a mixture of powerful intestinal strength and bohemian braggadocio that about 20 years after the above was written, the pangs of bereavement within the family, and downturn in the fortunes of the once great throbbing habitat that was Stadium Hotel, Surulere, the great Wind-man still charmed us with his pristine trumpet and gleaming white ‘kerchief… gliding with the windstorm and rolling with the whirlwind…before the final curtain fell. What a man!

0
FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinWhatsappEmail
Femi Akintunde-Johnson

previous post
Sarah Ladipo Mayinka, Others to Discuss Global Legacy of African Women Writers at 2020 LSE Festival
next post
Clint Eastwood Ditches Donald Trump for Mike Bloomberg in 2020 Election

You may also like

From Peace To Nollywood: Towards The Next 30...

February 9, 2023

A legend at 60: Celebrating Jahman Oladejo Anikulapo.legend...

January 16, 2023

Deity Among Scholars: Celebrating Prof. Toyin Falola @...

January 7, 2023

Sammy Okposo: Remembering Celebrity Gospeller Of Note

November 30, 2022

Biyi Bandele Who Came In From The Back...

August 22, 2022

Kizz Daniel, Stars’ Buga And The Curse Of...

August 15, 2022

The Perils of Audience Capture

August 8, 2022

Netflix is eating Nollywood’s lunch. What happens next?

August 4, 2022

Portable’s Disqualification Biased, Dangerous Precedent – Joey Akan

July 27, 2022

The Woman King: Resetting The African Mentality

July 24, 2022

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Recent Posts

  • From Peace To Nollywood: Towards The Next 30 Years
  • Three Decades Of Nollywood: Scholars, Literary Enthusiasts Hail Ayorinde’s Book
  • Tems Wins First-ever Grammy, As Burna Boy Loses In Two Categories
  • Court Orders Oxlade To Pay ₦5m Indemnity Over Leaked Sex Tape
  • Artists gearing up for the Harlem fine arts show 15th anniversary

Sponsored

Recent Posts

  • From Peace To Nollywood: Towards The Next 30 Years

    February 9, 2023
  • Three Decades Of Nollywood: Scholars, Literary Enthusiasts Hail Ayorinde’s Book

    February 9, 2023
  • Tems Wins First-ever Grammy, As Burna Boy Loses In Two Categories

    February 6, 2023

Categories

  • Arts & Exhibitions
  • Culture & Festivals
  • Culture Africana
  • Culture People
  • Fashion & Lifestyle
  • Food
  • Music, Movies & More
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Photo News
  • Reviews (The Critics)
  • TCN Interview
  • TCN Literati
  • Tourism & Hospitality
  • Travel News
  • Travel Trends
  • Travelogue
  • What's Hot?
  • World Culture

Connect with us

Connect with us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • About Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

@2019 - The Culture Newspaper. All Right Reserved. Designed and Developed by Zero-One

The Culture Newspaper
  • Home
  • Arts & Exhibitions
  • Culture & Festivals
    • Culture Africana
    • Culture People
  • Fashion & Lifestyle
    • Music, Movies & More
  • News
    • Travel News
  • Opinion
    • Reviews (The Critics)
  • TCN Literati
  • Tourism & Hospitality