By Kingsley Abavo, Benin
Sir Victor Uwaifo a.k.a ‘Guiter Boy’ has joined his ancestors.
The news break that he died on Saturday, 28 August, 2021 at the the Stella Obasanjo Hospital, Benin, where he was rushed to after he developed some health complications at home. No details given.
His demise is coming barely three weeks, the Kingdom of Benin lost business mogul and philanthropist, Capt. Hosa Okunbor to the cold hand of death.
He reportedly lost the battle to pancreatic cancer in a London hospital.
Sir Uwaifo famous for his hit song: ‘Guiter Boy, if you see mammy water’ and many others, celebrated his 80th birthday in March.
Biography
Sir Victor Uwaifo was born on the 1st March, 1941 in Benin-City, Edo State, he was a multi instrumentalists: Electric guitar, flute, saxophone, electric piano, percussion, and vocals.
He was also a writer, sculptor, and musical instrument inventor, University lecturer, music legend, and the first Honorable Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism in Nigeria in the Chief Lucky Igbinedion’s administration; 2001–03.
He began playing guitar when he was 12 year old, his earliest popular music influences being records of Spanish and Latin American music.
He recorded under the name Victor Uwaifo and His TItibitis. He was recognized as the most educated performing music legend, musical instrument inventor, and artist worldwide with a B.A Honors (first class valedictorian), Masters degree and Ph.D in Architectural Sculpture (Thesis: A reinvention of Benin Royal Ancestral Pieces, University of Benin, Nigeria).
Uwaifo obtained his secondary school education at the ‘Western Boys’ High School Benin and St. Gregory’s College, Lagos, from 1957 to 1961.
He studied graphics at Yaba College of Technology, Lagos and graduated in 1961 to 63 at the age of 22 year old. He received a bachelor’s degree with first-class honours at 54 year old (Valedictorian) and a master’s degree from the University of Benin in 1997 at 56 years of age where he studied Fine and Applied Arts and majored in Sculpture.
After leaving Benin, Uwaifo continued playing music at St Gregory’s, Lagos. He was a contemporary of Segun Bucknor, and they were both among the leading Lagos high school bandleaders at the time.
During school holidays and weekends, he jammed with Olaiya’s All Stars band. After completing secondary school studies, he played with E.C. Arinze’s highlife during late hours. Uwaifo also briefly worked with Stephen Osadebe and Fred Coker before he formed Melody Maestros in 1965.
The band released “Joromi” which became a hit in Nigeria and other parts of West Africa.
Uwaifo made history, when he won the first Golden record in Nigeria, West Africa and Africa (presented by Philips, West Africa) for his song “Joromi” in 1996.
Between 1965 and 1968, he developed the Akwete rhythm sound. In 1969, he launched a new beat called Shadow accompanied by a new dance also called shadow, a mixture of Akwete and twist. The sound was released when soul music was popular in Lagos and lasted a few years.
After the launch of Shadow, the Melody Maestros went on tour of various Nigerian cities.
Uwaifo later experimented with a new rhythm that was similar to soul but soon left it for Ekassa, an interpretation of a traditional Benin sound.
His best-known songs, “Guitar Boy” and “Mami Water”, were a huge hit in 1966. “Mami Water” was inspired by an encounter (which he has long maintained actually occurred) with a “mami water” (mermaid) while lounging on Bar Beach, Lagos.
In 1971, Uwaifo opened the Joromi Hotel in Benin City, and within ten years established his own television studio. From there, he produced a national weekly music and culture programme.
Uwaifo, who had a total of 12 golden records to date, travelled to many countries including the United States, Russia, Japan, United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Romania, Germany, France, Hungary, Rome, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Benin Republic, Spain, and Canada.
National recognition
The Federal Government of Nigeria, in appreciation of his talents and contributions to Nigeria, honoured him with a National Honors Merit: Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) in 1983.
Uwaifo was appointed as Justice of Peace (JP) Public Notary and Lay Magistrate.
Also, he was honored by four Nigerian Presidents and Head of States of Nigeria, who invited him to the State House.
International recognition
In 1995, Uwaifo was invited by the United Nations Staff Day International Committee to perform during the UN Golden Jubilee celebration.
He is cited in the Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, 1983 edition, documented in the “Who’s Who in Nigeria”, “Who’s Who in Africa”, “Who’s Who in the Commonwealth”, and “Men and Women of Distinction in the Commonwealth” sections.
He was an Honorary Member of the Biographical Advisory Council, Cambridge, England, a member of both the Performing Right Society, and of the Advisory Board of American Heritage University, California, US.
Additional materials sourced from Wikipedia
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