Music’s Double Death Blow
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- Parent Category: Kampala One Articles
- Category: Music
- Published on Tuesday, 21 February 2012 18:57
- Written by Moses Serugo
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There was something ominous about two recent celebrity deaths. Whitney Houston died on the eve of the 2012 Grammy Award ceremony while Ugandan singer Fred Maiso passed away on Valentines Day Eve. Whitney epitomized what the Grammys were about, the pursuit of musical excellence. And for her status as the power ballad diva, the recording Academy had rewarded her with six Grammys over the three decades of her singing career. He may not have matched Whitney by way of looks or singing talent but Maiso’s song Ekimuli kya Roza, a celebration of the rose bud as an enduring symbol of love continues to be a favourite Valentines season anthem in Uganda.
Incidentally, both were born in the same decade, three years apart. Whitney died at 48 while Maiso was 45 at the time of his passing. Each defined a musical era. Whitney’s purity of voice was a testament to church as a fine incubator for music talent if the outpouring of singing talent during her funeral service on Saturday February 18, 2012 is anything to go by. And while the post-Whitney norm has been to celebrate her vocal prowess, it is only proper that those behind the superb production especially the instrumentalists get to shine as much as the singing star.
And while some may feel that Maiso’s vocal talent was overrated, it is worth celebrating the musical period in which he thrived, one that emphasised “live” instrumentation long before the malignant synthetic music cancer we have today. The ‘90s was not just about the rise of the lazy lip-syncing artiste. It was also the time a subterranean live band scene simmered. That was the time Maiso’s contemporaries like keyboardist Tony Sengo, lead guitarist Dede Majoro, drummer Giles Warugaba and Afrigo songwriter Godfrey Mwambala carried the torch of live music. The latter takes credit for penning one of the decade’s greatest hits Jim, the 1994 single that continues to define lead vocalist Joanita Kawalya’s unfailing musicality.
Maiso is from the same musical breed of Carol Nakimera (RIP) and Sarah Birungi (RIP). Those two singing belles are lauded for leading a pseudo feminist musical movement as front-women of the ‘90s Centra Volcano Band, the resident live music outfit at Luwum Street’s Carlifornia Pub. Maiso’s musical journey continued with stints at Star Light Band and Pride Band before an encounter with peers Ronald Mayinja and Mesach Semakula saw the trio breakaway from entertainment entrepreneur Kato Lubwama to form Eagles Production. While there, he doubled as the band chairman and principal lyricist, holding the fort even when some of his musical friends abandoned ship for the allure of private business. During this wobbly time, Maiso benefited from the musical companionship of steady hands like Paddy Ntale, James Muwanga Wamala and Abel Kato.
As is the norm, our collective outpouring of grief at Whitney and Maiso’s passing has been a renewed interest in their music. Parting shots they have left us as we bid them a final farewell. We can best eulogize them by treating these departed artistes like they never left. Whitney will definitely continue to be a musical benchmark and the one that set the bar so high. Maiso will also remain in our hearts as the voice that brought us that cheesy albeit enduring soundtrack to love.
MOSES SERUGO ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )
PHOTOGRAPHS: CNN & The Observer (www.observer.ug)