The weekend is around the corner and many people will flock bars and entertainment joints listening to their favorite old songs dubbed ” Zilizopendwa”.
The frenzy is further heightened when the all-time favorite songs sina Makosa, Pamela, Afro among others are played.
Little known to many, the band behind those hit songs, Les Wanyika was at one time one of East Africa’s most exciting musical bands. It had its origins in Tanzania but made its fame and fortune in Kenya with a string of hit songs.
However, the death of bandleader and guitarist John Ngereza in February 2000 put the future of the Kenyan band Les Wanyika in jeopardy.
An offshoot of Simba Wanyika, a band that moved from Tanzania to Kenya in 1991, Les Wanyika had continued to inspire dancing with their energetic approach to African rumba.
Although little known outside of Africa, the band was cherished in its homeland and their lengthy list of regional hits include “Sina Makosa,” “Paulina,” and “Pamela.”
Les Wanyika recorded their final album, Amigo, in 1998. Rhythm guitarist and chief composer Omari Shebani died shortly before the album’s release. For a brief period, in the late ’70s, members of Les Wanyika also played together as Super Wanyika.
The famous John Ngereza, Issa Juma and Omar Shabani were all from Tanzania, and one Tom Malanga was from Kenya. This band established a permanent base in Nairobi, playing in nightclubs and on various resorts. Most of the group members have either died or fallen victims of age toll.