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We played at the Apollo in 1972 – Cheetham
It seems the discussion of which Ghanaian musicians were the first to play at the famous Apollo Theatre in Harlem, New York City, USA, would not end soon.
Willie Cheetham, a 71-year-old Ghanaian singer and percussionist based in England, says he and trumpeter, Eddie Quansah, as well as saxophonists George Lee and Peter Vanderpuije, were the first Ghanaians to play at the Apollo Theatre in 1972.They were members of the Sons of the Jungle band formed in London in 1965. They used to be the backing band for Johnny Nash, the American reggae singer-songwriter.
Willie Cheetham, a 71-year-old Ghanaian singer and percussionist based in England, says he and trumpeter, Eddie Quansah, as well as saxophonists George Lee and Peter Vanderpuije, were the first Ghanaians to play at the Apollo Theatre in 1972.They were members of the Sons of the Jungle band formed in London in 1965. They used to be the backing band for Johnny Nash, the American reggae singer-songwriter.
“Johnny Nash had a gig at the Apollo Theatre and we in our right as Sons of the Jungle band, played for 30 minutes before he came on for his session with us,” Cheetham, who is in Accra for a funeral of a family member, told Showbiz.
“From the Apollo Theatre, we went on to Texas to play at a Presidential Ball for Lyndon B. Johnson, the then American President. I think it is necessary to tell history correctly and anyone can get in touch with the Apollo Theatre to verify my claim,” stated Cheetham.
Well-known hiplife star, Sarkodie staged his History In The Making concert early last month at the Apollo Theatre. Musician and radio presenter, Quophi Okyeame, then urged Sarkodie’s handlers not to distort history because he as a member of Akyeame as well as Daddy Lumba and Ofori Amponsah played at the Apollo in 1999.
Willie Cheetham was a member of the Black Beats, Brigade Band, Ramblers and Uhuru before going to live in England in 1964. Over there, he met other Ghanaian musicians who had also already made names for themselves back home. They formed the Sons of the Jungle band in 1965 and toured extensively in and out of England. Johnny Nash hooked up with them and they became his backing band.
Cheetham said he still listens to contemporary Ghanaian music and admires Sarkodie for seriously pushing ahead with his career and that it takes a special musician to play at the Apollo.
“Playing at the Apollo means he has recognition. You don’t go there if you are just another musician. My concern is he being presented as making history by performing at the Apollo. It meant some people did not do their research. History is important and it must be presented correctly.
“The three horn players- Eddie Quansah, George Lee and Peter Vanderpuije – and myself were accomplished musicians in Ghana before going to England. If we were able to progress to play at the Apollo, we at the time felt we were making history,” Cheetham pointed out.
The Sons of the Jungle band backed Johnny Nash and travelled with him around the world for three years. The band is regarded in some music circles as the real initiators of the Afro-rock sounds later made popular by Osibisa.
Source: Graphic Online
“From the Apollo Theatre, we went on to Texas to play at a Presidential Ball for Lyndon B. Johnson, the then American President. I think it is necessary to tell history correctly and anyone can get in touch with the Apollo Theatre to verify my claim,” stated Cheetham.
Well-known hiplife star, Sarkodie staged his History In The Making concert early last month at the Apollo Theatre. Musician and radio presenter, Quophi Okyeame, then urged Sarkodie’s handlers not to distort history because he as a member of Akyeame as well as Daddy Lumba and Ofori Amponsah played at the Apollo in 1999.
Willie Cheetham was a member of the Black Beats, Brigade Band, Ramblers and Uhuru before going to live in England in 1964. Over there, he met other Ghanaian musicians who had also already made names for themselves back home. They formed the Sons of the Jungle band in 1965 and toured extensively in and out of England. Johnny Nash hooked up with them and they became his backing band.
Cheetham said he still listens to contemporary Ghanaian music and admires Sarkodie for seriously pushing ahead with his career and that it takes a special musician to play at the Apollo.
“Playing at the Apollo means he has recognition. You don’t go there if you are just another musician. My concern is he being presented as making history by performing at the Apollo. It meant some people did not do their research. History is important and it must be presented correctly.
“The three horn players- Eddie Quansah, George Lee and Peter Vanderpuije – and myself were accomplished musicians in Ghana before going to England. If we were able to progress to play at the Apollo, we at the time felt we were making history,” Cheetham pointed out.
The Sons of the Jungle band backed Johnny Nash and travelled with him around the world for three years. The band is regarded in some music circles as the real initiators of the Afro-rock sounds later made popular by Osibisa.
Source: Graphic Online
