July is the seventh month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars. Its length is 31 days. It was named by the Roman Senate in honour of Roman general, Julius Caesar.
Yes, July is traditionally dedicated to the Most Precious Blood of Jesus in the Catholic Church. This devotion recognises Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and the shedding of his blood for the redemption of humanity. It’s a time for Catholics to reflect on the significance of his blood and its role in salvation, often through special prayers and devotions.
Ooooh! What A sigh of relief!. We are now in August. I never thought that I would make it beyond July as I was under the weather during that month. Many a musician died in that wretched month.
For some unknown reason, many artistes died in the month of July. A recent case is that of the sad passing on of 67 year old Catherine Mazodze popularly known as Machipisa in the 1980s comedy, Mukadota Family. She died only 11 days ago, on the July 31 in Masvingo, Rupike Village after a long illness. Apart from acting in the Mukadota Family comedy series, she was also a backing singer of Safirio Madzikatire’s Sea Cottage Sisters. Safirio Madzikatire himself also died in the month of July in 1996.
There is something about the month of July. Each year in July, I dread to think of what will happen each time we approach that month, especially among the music fraternity.
Biggie Tembo aka Rodwell Mhosva Marasha,The frontman for the popular group, the Bhundu Boys in the ‘80s, committed suicide after he had suffered since being voted out of the band in 1990. He died on the 29th July in 1995.
Cosmas Mashoko of The New Black Montana Sungura band who led this band in the 1980’s and 90’s. died on 12 July1992.
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Mukoma Ketai Muchawaya, leader of the group Simba Brothers who is well known for his hit single Dai Uriwe died on the July 29 1999.
Edwin Hama, born Edwin Celani Hamandawana in Gokwe, who started off his music career as the doorman of the group, Ilanga was a dynamic artist whose journey saw him refining his craft in Bulawayo, reaching new heights in Harare, and ultimately impacting audiences beyond Zimbabwe. He crafted many hit songs which included Asila Mali and Today’s Paper. He died on July 2, 2007.
Chiwoniso Maraire (pictured) who was a singer, songwriter, and exponent of Zimbabwean mbira music was the daughter of Zimbabwean mbira master and teacher Dumisani Maraire. She died on the July 24 in 2013.
Very often, when we talk about musicians, we talk about lead singers in a group, but there are many others who contribute to the outcome of a song. These include the horn players, the bassists, the guitarists, the keyboard players, the drummers and the backing singers. The other musicians you probably have not heard of who also died in the month of July include Paul Phiri who died on July 12 1995; Jethro Mtero who also died on the July 12 1997; Shame Masangudza whose death was on the July 13 2002; Emmanuel Nkomo who died on the July 4 2003; Mindaisi Dambaza who died on the July 11 in2005:; Aaron Chakanyuka whose death was on the July 17, 2008; and Jabulani Biti, who died on the July 29 2011 These are deaths that occurred in the month of July in Zimbabwe. We have heard of numeorus deaths of famous musicians elsewhere.
For instance only last month on the July 22 2025, Ozzy Osbourne, lead vocalist of the famous Black Sabbath Band died. In South Africa, Johnny Clegg of Juluka died on the July 16 2019.Going back in time, Jim Reeves, the famous country singer died on the July 31 in 1964; Louis aka Satchmo Armstrong died on July 6th in1971; Barry White went away with his deep baritone voice on the July 4, 2003; Luther Vandross,the American R&B singer and record producer, died on the July 1 2005.Way back on the July 3 1969, Briam Jones of the Rolling Stones also died.
Jim Morrison, the lead singer of the Doors died on July 3 in 1971. Syd Barret of Pink Floyd died on the July 7 2006 and John Blackwell the drummer who played with Prince died on the July 4 in 2017. The list of musicians who died in the month of July is endlesss. There is something mysterious about this month. The month is dedicated to the most precious blood of Jesus as we know. So it may mean that the people taken during this month are also precious . I have no answers for Oliver Mtukudzi and Hugh Masekela (South African singer and trumpeter) who both died on the January in 2019 23 and 2018 respectively. All I can say is: May their souls rest in eternal peace!
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