We have talked and laughed about it.
When we first met, I was so humbled to meet a talented musician who had become my childhood icon.
I told you of how I enjoyed that best-ever combination known as Ilanga when you pooled your talent with musicians of similar expertise that included Busi Ncube, Don Gumbo and Chinx Chingaira.
We have discussed issues relating to your departure from the group and subsequent fame that you built as a solo artist. Your guitar skills have always been a marvel and you know I meant it when I told you that you are the best lead guitarist in the country, an opinion that is shared by most music followers in this country.
Your signature on South Africa’s Sheer Sound Records contract was more than testimony to your expertise. At that time it was a great achievement to be signed by a foreign company.
They looked for really good stuff from here and there were very few of you that passed their tests. My brother, I was young then but I knew that in you was a musician who could fly the country’s flag high in any part of the world through your vocals and guitar.
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Hondo Yesadza, Shungu, Passage of Time, you unleashed one good album after another.
We have talked about these issues but there is something that I have not openly said because I was not sure how you would react.When we met in Livingstone, Zambia we went on a drinking spree and laughed about how people viewed us as lowly Zimbabweans because of our economic situation then, yet they envied us as we downed one beer after another.
We discussed numerous issues that go with bar talk but I kept nagging sentiments that plagued my mind to myself.
EXCITEMENT IN ZAMBIAN HAMLET
When we visited a village in Zambia and attended a traditional performance at a chief’s homestead, we played mini-soccer (slug) and drank opaque beer “shake shake”.
It was fun because back home mini-soccer was no longer at our shopping centres and “shake shake” beer was still not available on the local market then.
I remember your joke about how we would end up eating even pig intestines because of this excitement that we had in our foreign village adventure. Still, I could not say it, even as a joke, I kept it to myself.
Music fans are not like dogs that eat their own vomit…
But, as I watched you speak at the launch of your album, Chiwoko, at Metro Studios sometime ago, I felt the urge burning inside me and I made a decision that I would say it one day.
Now, I feel this is the time. When your album launch show flopped at City Sports Bar.
Well, Andy, my brother and my friend: Have you realised how local music fans do not behave like dogs that turn back and eat what they would have just vomited?
I think you understand what I mean.
Without mentioning names, you know your fellow musicians that were very popular but easily fell from grace when fans felt the musicians had run out of steam.
They have tried hard to resuscitate their careers but have failed. What they only have are memories of their heydays.
But their case is even better, Andy! Yours is worse because you lost the plot when you meddled in politics.
You are unlikely to win your popularity back my brother.
You have tried to turn away from politics and openly condemn your political allegiance but I feel it is too late.
Recently you bemoaned lack of airplay of your latest album and you now pour venom at anyone who tries to question your intentions when you fell into a political trap.
That will not help, Andy.
I can comfort you by saying all hope is not lost but you know the truth. Bouncing back will be a mountain climb. Your fans are not dogs.
I am happy that you are keeping yourself well. I hope Cde Fatso is no longer a thorn in your flesh and you can now see your daughters often because Chiwoniso brought them back from the United States.
Keep on trying bro.
Yours TrulyGodwin MuzariStandardLife&Style EditorAlpha Media [email protected]
