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Bruce Ndlovu
To most observers band members are just the sideshow keeping them occupied while the star of the show shines on stage.
While a band is dispensable for an urban act most of whose live shows and music does not depend on a live band, for artistes in other genres this is not so simple.
In other genres, a band that is adept at playing its chosen instruments is vital, as their input determines the quality of the product that an artiste will deliver, be it a live show or an album.
This is the case with the artiste known as Mukudzei Mukombe or Jah Prayzah as he is popularly known on the Zimbabwean music scene.
While he is still as popular as ever among Zimbabweans, the Mudhara Vachauya hit-maker has seen a steady exodus of vital cogs from his Third Generation band over the last few years.
The latest departure from the band came last week when lead guitarist Braveman Chizvino, aka Baba Harare, left the group saying that he wanted to forge a solo career of his own. While his departure from the group was not as acrimonious as others before, Baba Harare has left a huge hole in the band, with our sister paper The Herald reporting that Jah Prayzah had to beg him to come and perform, as fans clamoured for him during a recent show.
The popularity of the Third Generation has meant that individual band members have become brands on their own, a factor that was evident when Pamela a�?Gonyetia�? Ncube also left the band amid scandal.
Gonyetia��s departure from the band was marked by accusations and counter accusations as she alleged that the musician had sexually abused her.
Another popular member of the group,A� Evidence a�?Generatora�? Kufinya, also left the band under a cloud of controversy, albeit of a different kind. She was axed from the group for indiscipline.
With the steady trickle of group members from the Third Generation, it remains to be seen how many original members of the Third Generation will still be there in a few years. .
derick.khumalo