Without a doubt, the Nigerian Juju music scene has been dealt a very big blow by the death of its chief exponent, Prince Adekunle. No Juju band leader has ever produced stars like him. He trained Folorusho Peperempe, who is now based in the United States; Apostle Oluwole, a famous gospel singer in the 80s. Dayo Kujore, another Juju star; Segun Adewale; and last but not the least, Sir Shina Peters.
As often happens in life, his protegee, Segun Adewale rebelled against him. He led 16 out of the 18 members of Prince Adekunle’s Western Brothers’ Band out of the group to form another band, Shina Adewale International Superstars Band in 1975. The formation of the new band caused the end of Adekunle’s band. He never forgave Adewale for that till he died.
► Comrade Bode Lawal wrote from Ibadan, Oyo State.