adminBongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
LOCAL musicians and fans of Percy Sledge have joined the rest of the world to mourn the death of the soul music singer who died on Tuesday in America. Sledge succumbed to liver cancer at his Barton Rouge home in California. The man behind timeless hits When a man loves a woman, It tears me up, Warm and tender Love, Love me tender and Cover me, was not a stranger to Zimbabweans as he once performed in Bulawayo in the 70s.
Sledge performed at the White City Stadium at the height of his musical career.
Veteran drummer Ebba Chitambo from Friends Band was one of the opening acts for Sledge’s show when he was with the then popular jazz group — Wells Fargo.
Chitambo said he was saddened by the loss as he had vivid memories of the Bulawayo show.
“There was no other soul music singer like Percy Sledge as he was an icon that had hits that are still classics. It’s a loss to the whole world as he was an unparalleled songwriter,” said Chitambo.
He said opening for Percy Sledge was an amazing experience and what touched them was that he told them that he was impressed by the way they were singing.
One of Sledge’s local fans, Edna Mawutsi, who attended the White City Stadium show said she vividly remembers the weeks before the show and the excitement that engulfed their neighbourhood of Mzilikazi.
“When I heard of Percy’s death, I was taken down memory lane to the 70s when he performed at White City stadium.
“My friends and I were actually counting down the days to the show and sorting out our outfits,” said Mawutsi.
“Back in the day we would wear miniskirts, platform shoes and spot afro hairstyles which were the in-thing.”
She said transport had been arranged to ferry fans to the show.
“The show was highly anticipated by the black folk in Bulawayo and some from other parts of the country. Some people walked from Mzilikazi, Barbourfields and Matshobane to the stadium while some used public transport which had been arranged. The place was packed,” she said.
Fellow American singer Michael Bolton who sang a rendition of the hit When a Man Loves a Woman was also devastated by Sledge’s death. He tweeted: “An inspiration as an artiste and one of the most gracious human beings. We sang together. Forever grateful! Love MB.”
Online Reporter