2. Jonah Moyo
He actually started out on rhythm before the band recorded, but took up lead. Good call. Definitely one of the best to ever pick up a guitar - even that uniquely shaped one that he’s had for years
3. John Chibadura
The man had a unique guitar plucking style that NOBODY has been able to replicate since. A true lead guitar icon. Watch him work his magic
4. Nicholas Zakaria
From a Mazowe band called...wait for it... the Green Mangoes, to one of the most influential figures in Sungura. One of the steadiest hands on a Sungura guitar. This riff on Mazano is fire 🔥
Lecture in session!
5. Never Moyo:
ODK had great lead guitarists - Allan, Shepherd Mande, George Fero - but had to pick one, and it can only be Never. Always liked how he weaved his guitar around Chopper’s vocals...
6. Big debate on who which of the Orchestra Mberikwazvo lead men to pick. Will go with Donald Gogo; for those of us who prefer the earlier Macheso years
Four more to go. Who to leave out? Who to add?
7. Zhakata’s lead guitarist was a real one. This sequence on Mugove is iconic. Antony Bizek.
8. Dhewa: He once said it took him a while to actually master the guitar. His skills were often underrated. This guitar work on Ndinotenda Dhiya was what they call rapid fire
9. Admire Kasenga: Often overlooked on such lists, but the man could play. Nothing fancy, just sheer brilliance. These intros...
10. 🐐
No words. Just marinate yourself in these intros.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
It’s hard to know where to start; Freedom Sengwayo? Machanic Manyeruke? Jordan Chataika? Brian Sibalo? We’ll share very brief histories on them.
Some of the pioneers of recording gospel music: In the 70s, these two young nuns, Gertrude Matsika and Tendai Maminimini, defied church convention and patriarchy and took up guitars and recorded music.
Jordan Chataika: Born in Bulawayo in 1939. In 1960, aged 21, he got a job as petrol attendant at Kamfinsa. There, he taught a work colleague how to play a guitar. Impressed, that fella’s dad bought Jordan a new guitar.
Top 40 at #ZimAt40 🇿🇼
Zimbabwe has had some fine artistes over the past 40 years. People who created diverse musical identities that we know today as “Zimbabwean music”.
Here, we present our Top 40 of the past 40 years, in no real order.
A tribute thread, not a ranking!
Hande!
1. Oliver Mtukudzi: A career that stretched over 40 years, with an incredible 67 albums. A real Zimbabwean hero, who carried our flag around the continent and beyond!
2. The Marxist Brothers: From Msengezi, near Chegutu, raised by a bricklayer father, and growing into one of the most influential acts of the past 40 years. Simon and Naison Chimbetu!
Thank you for Dendera! Easy!!
Where, and when, to even begin talking about Ilanga. It’s amazing that this band was together for less than four years, but created so much in that short period of time.
There are conflicting accounts of events in Simon’s youth. Some say he was abducted by freedom fighters but sent back because he was too young. Others say he left of his own accord to join the struggle. Some say he never left at all. #SunguraFriday
What we know is that, late 70s, Simon and Naison moved to Gillingham (now Dzivarasekwa), staying with a relative.
And they spent time moving around the bars, singing for patrons. They even sang on buses.
One day, while singing at a bar, Simon and Naison were spotted by Chris Matema ace producer (Witness Matema’s late dad). He liked what he heard. But they had no band. He sent them over to Zexie Manatsa for help. He was busy recording then; he turned them away #SunguraFriday