Dark robber of talent in 2019

The dark lobed robber waited until the end of the year to hit the music fraternity where it hurts most. The death of Joseph Tembo and Owen Hulera in this last month of the year brings mixed feelings. 

For others, it is anger towards the angel of death while for others it is only but celebration to God for taking back his sons to heaven where they will add up to the formidable musical force that entertains angels.

Joseph produced some of the country’s greatest hits. He made most of musicians that we hail as the greatest on the land. Just to mention a few to his name, Joseph has produced music for artists such as Sir Lucius Banda, Billy Kaunda, Wyclif Chimwendo, Chitheka Family, Grace Chinga and the list is endless.

I remember back in 2013 when Tembo was no longer active in music he was invited to perform at the African Movie Academy Awards (Amaa) ceremony in Nigeria.

The guitar maestro and his Groove Magic Band joined several Nigerian musicians at the glitzy event that honoured fine artists in the African and African diaspora film industry.

Famous for his songs Dimingu, Mbudye, Taiwala Chikhalidwe, Ndalimba Mtima and Samalila among others, Tembo did not disappoint. And just to show how big Joseph was just look at the team that he travelled with: Peter Likhomo on bass guitar, Collen Ali on lead guitar, Amos Mulolowa on drums, Chisomo Ngondo on keyboard, Khathwa Aligiza on vocals and Daniel Thom on percussion.

Joseph had a lot more to offer the music world. He was yet to give us the best in our music but sad it had to be in 2019.

For Hulera, I knew that he had passed through a Facebook post by one of the country’s unsung music historian Sam Malunga.

“Let me simply break the ice by saying that the death of guitarist Owen Hulera is obviously another big blow” announced Malunga.

He then went on to explain that Hulera was a great guitar player with a tone of his own. 

Sam says he knew him in Zomba in the mid-90s when he was with Promise band owned by Father Chakhadza. He also played with Songani Blast owned by Patel Maulidi brother to Maurice Maulidi the Songani Swing Stars owner. He also had a short stint with Binny Nkolokosa of the Slashers Band in Ndirande. He then played with Jai Banda’s Uhuru Band before he joined the Acacias Band. He also played with the Zigzaggers Band, and the Super Boys. At the time of his death he was with the Black Missionaries.

Jai, Mr. Entertainer also wrote about Hulera: “Over 20 years ago I engaged Peter Amidu, Andrew Kamangwa, Billy Maliseni and Owen Hulera to be Uhuru Band. Owen used to double as lead guitarist and vocalist. Owen was indeed a humble young man. Over the years, he had always taken time to visit Jai’s office for a chat.

You can accuse The Black Missionaries of all sorts of wrongs, but their live shows is something that everyone praise highly and it was always the lead guitarist Hulera who dedicated himself to the guitar wizardly for the fans to enjoy and for Mablacks to become what have become in the eyes of all fun seeking patrons.

It is therefore sad that this year can decide to take away the mostly highly decorated musicians of our time. We can only envy heaven that while we have been robbed, they have gained and forever and ever the heavens shall enjoy their music offerings!

Rest well Jazzmen, we will surely be looking forward to enjoy the music once more, the moment we join you!!!