The ManicaPost
Fungayi Munyoro Entertainment Correspondent
FORMER John Chibadura’s bass guitarist now a pastor, Joseph Anderson, says local gospel music has lost its glamour.
In an interview from his Chikanga home, the veteran guitarist, said a lot needs to be done to revive the genre.
Pastor Anderson who now pastors at Nyasha Faith Ministries International Church worked with various artistes in the 70s.
Some of the artistes include the late Ketai Muchawaya. The veteran guitarist worked with Ketai Muchawaya in the early 80s and recorded tracks such as Dai Uriwe which was an instant hit.
He also worked with Mangeleta Kings from Congo in the mid-80s before joining John Chibadura’s Tembo Brothers.
While with Tembo Brothers, Anderson performed in many well attended shows. They also recorded many tracks. He left the group in October 1989 and became a born-again Christian. He did not stop playing the guitar. He is now playing in church and assisting his wife, Pastor Ellen who is an upcoming gospel singer.
“There was a time when gospel music was the in-thing in Zimbabwe and one of the popular genres. It used to attract thousands during live shows. Places like Harare Gardens used to be packed by thousands of revellers. A lot of shows used to take place in the past. We can talk of the Ngaavongwe Gospel Shows organised by veteran musician, Elias Musakwa, the Nguva Yakwana organised by Ivy Kombo and friends. Popular musicians like Ivy Kombo, Mechanic Manyeruke and Charles Charamba used to attract a lot of people.
“International artistes like Rebecca Malope, Vuyo Moekena and Sipho Makhabane used to come and perform here, but this is now history,” he said.
He said the introduction of computerised music had lowered standard of music in the country.
“Gospel music has lost or is slowly losing its grip.
The rhythm is computer generated. Most of the youngsters who have emerged have lowered the standards. Some plays CDs and some do lip-singing on stage. Some have become copycats,” he said.
He also believes that local gospel music has lost its glamour.
“I believe the genre has lost the glamour. It used to be the in-thing attracting thousands of revellers. All is gone and not so many people bother to attend these shows anymore. The artistes themselves lack creativity.
We cannot go back to those days, but we can improve. There is no doubt about talent in our nation, but the artistes need to pull up their socks. Most singers these days especially the youngsters are singing to make quick buck.
It is not all about money, but the quality produced. We cannot equate gospel music and circular music, but long back there was stiff competition between the two. We can talk of Baba Manyeruke, the late Brian Sibalo, Jordan Chataika, and the Charambas. Their music was fully loaded and was very rich,” he added.
