Sunny Ade: Accolades for juju maestro at 70
When the people of the ancient city of Ondo, a few days ago, rolled-out the drums to celebrate the eventful life of their illustrious son – Prince Sunday Adeniyi – who clocked 70, they were simply amplifying similar accolades being showered elsewhere. Arguably the most celebrated musician of his era, Adeniyi, widely known as “King […]
When the people of the ancient city of Ondo, a few days ago, rolled-out the drums to celebrate the eventful life of their illustrious son – Prince Sunday Adeniyi – who clocked 70, they were simply amplifying similar accolades being showered elsewhere.
Arguably the most celebrated musician of his era, Adeniyi, widely known as “King Sunny Ade (KSA)” is no doubt a colossus and the torrent of praises so far showered on him simply reflects that.
Leading the way was Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari who in a statement released on the eve of the birthday, described Sunny Ade as a “multi-talented instrumentalist, songwriter and dancer for his remarkable life.”
In the statement signed by Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, KSA was hailed as “a Nigerian musician who has over the years brought pride to his country by mastering his art against all odds, taking the African musical genre to the global stage and serving as an inspiration and a mentor to upcoming artistes.”
Also, Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, described the juju maestro as a trailblazer whose success story is charting a new course for the “young Turks” in the musical industry.
A former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, in his tribute said the veteran musician is one of the most influential of all time.
The maestro also received royal applause from the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja II) who said as a King and a fan of KSA’s brand of music, he cannot but celebrate him.
“Through his music, he has touched many lives and brought happiness to many homes,” he said.
An authority in Nigerian music industry who has always been a music critic and frontline broadcaster, Benson Idonije said he is most thrilled by KSA professional longevity.
Another veteran radio broadcaster, Gbenga Ariba said even though he was not close to KSA, he is a great fan of his numerous albums. He said more than any other thing, Sunny Ade’s great dance steps, his mastery of the guitar and his flawless usage of Yoruba language stood him out among his peers.
He recalled KSA’s popular albums like, ‘E su biribiri ke bomi,’ ‘Ekilo f’omode’ and ‘FESTAC 1977’ among others saying no Juju musician has been able to match Sunny Ade with enterprises he brought into the music arena.
Born to a royal family in Ondo on September 22, 1946, KSA left secondary school in Ondo under the pretense of going to the University of Lagos. And it was in Lagos that his mercurial musical career manifested and progressed.
His musical sound evolved from the early days when he began with a highlife band, Moses Olaiya’s Federal Rhythm Dandies where he left to form a new band in 1967.
He has had to change the name of his band on a number of occasions. First, to African Beats and then to Golden Mercury. And in the 1970s and 1980s, KSA embarked on a tour of America and Europe. On global stage, he became well-known with his dexterous dancing steps and mastery of the guitar.
In 1982, the Juju maestro was signed to Island Record which successfully promoted him across Europe and America. Then, he released a hit album, ‘Juju Music’ that was globally applauded. His next album, ‘Syncro System’ that was released 1983, was equally successful and that earned him his first Grammy Award nomination in the folk/ethnic music category. He produced many other successful songs later.