Entertainment
Sir Victor Uwaifo Marks 76th Birthday
The Nigerian music industry has quite a number of veterans and one of them is the ‘Jeromi” crooner, Sir Victor Uwaifor popularly known as ‘Guitar Boy’. The living legend who celebrated his 76th birthday on March 1st, 2017 with over 60 years of experience in the music clan was born on March 1st 1941 in Benin City Edo State.
Sir Victor Uwaifor obtained his secondary school education at the Western Boys High School Benin City and St. Gregorys College Lagos between 1957 and 1961. He also studied graphics at Yaba College of Technology between 1961 and 1963.
He began playing guitar when he was 12 years old and his earlier popular music was derived from listening to records of Spanish and Latin American music. After leaving Benin, Uwaifor continued playing music at St Gregory Lagos, a contemporary of Segun Bucknor, both individuals were among the leading Lagos High School Band leaders. During the school holidays and weekends he jammed with Victor Olaiya’s all Stars Band.
He also briefly worked with Stephen Osadebe of blessed memory and Fred Coker before he formed his own band known as Melody Maestros in 1965. The band released “Jeromi” which became a high hit in Nigeria and other parts of West Africa. He made history in Nigeria when he won the first Golden record in Nigeria and West Africa presented by Philips West Africa for his son ’Jeromi’ in 1996; Uwaifor has a total of 12 Golden records to date.
During a 2015 interview, the legendary musician warned’ those saying he should retire from music to bury the thoughts as he said he is not about to go the way of retirement anytime soon. “At 74, I am just starting, I will soon be 75, but I intend doing this until I am 90 years or even more. It is offensive asking me if I would retire soon”, he said.
Speaking further, the ‘Jeromi’ singer said “I was 12 when I started stringing the guitar because I discovered music quite early. Although my parents were not comfortable with me doing music because they wanted me to focus on my studies I however believed it does not matter when you discover your talent, but how you are able to utilize it”.
His song ‘Jeromi’ has legendary status among his fans and his performances are characterized by his ability to play the guitar with both his feet and also his tongue.
Sir Victor Uwaifor is the chairman of Jeromi organization, a multi-track recording and TV Studio in Benin City. He runs and manages art gallery and the Victor Uwaifor Hall of Fame.
R&B star, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has recounted the early-career challenges she faced, revealing that she was once booed out of the stage while performing at a school event.
Speaking in an interview with Newsmen, the Crazy Tings crooner shared that she wasn’t only booed but was also harassed with plastic bottles.
“I remember one time I was going to perform at my school as an up-and-coming singer and I thought I was going to receiving a standing ovation.
“But I got booed. They even threw plastic bottles at me,” she recalled.
Tems explained that despite the embarrassing incident and other such rejections, she remained determined to pursue a career in music.
The Tide Entertainment reports that Tems admitted that some of the initial rejections she faced could be due to her conviction to stick to her originality instead of doing covers or familiar sounds like most of her peers.
The Grammy-winning singer said looking back now, she is glad that she didn’t compromise her style despite the initial pressures.
A close associate of late singer Mohbad, Primeboy, has appealed for the artiste’s burial nearly three years after his death.
According to him, Mohbad’s body remains in the mortuary since September 12, 2023, pending burial arrangements.
The Tide Entertainment reports that in a statement Primeboy urged the family, public, and government to permit the burial, stating, “It’s been almost three years since Mohbad left us. His body is still in the mortuary. I’m begging the family, I’m begging the public, I’m begging the government, please let’s bury our brother. He deserves a befitting burial.”
It would be recalled that Mohbad’s death sparked public outrage, protests, and investigations. Ongoing autopsy examinations, police inquiries, and legal proceedings have delayed burial arrangements amid family disagreements and public scrutiny.
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