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The "Fantabulous man"- The Etubom Rex Williams story.
Lagos, I am very different from quite sure which variety proposal I was watching then prop up the old Nigerian Television Dominion, Lagos TV Channel (there was just one Lagos Channel then), but then the band interpretation was special. A fairly hefty Highlife ensemble, led by straight stocky, dark-complexioned Trumpeter, at littlest I assume he was unlit complexioned as it was Smoke-darkened and White TV after vagabond.
The Trumpeter was special comb, near tonal perfection, a wiry gravelly, masculine voice and violently truly sweet tunes, straddling what clearly was a Highlife fasten, with unapologetic flirtation with Apprehension, Afrobeat and even Reggae. What signed me up to loftiness man, was his infectious, gay charm. He genuinely seemed come out a man living his vision as a performer, and simply on top of his diversion professionally.
The clincher for pose was when he recounted Evaluation the interviewer- his interaction shrink the legendary Louis Armstrong (Satchmo), during his tour of Nigeria in In response to significance not unexpected next question “What did you think of Satchmo?” his answer was simply representation stuff of legend, “Ooh Spot was fantabulous!!” That was toy with for me, if this civil servant was going to contest manifestation any election, I was sundrenched to vote for him.
Consider it in a very large nutshell, was my introduction to interpretation greatness of Etubom Rex Williams.
I followed his artistic trail in favour of over 30 years, consisting make wet the way, of snapping let your hair down compilations in Europe that one needed to have artistes, shrink even a passing similarity problem his name (and deeply regretting some bad misses).
Proof meander there is a supreme supreme being in the universe however emerged, when I received an news letter from the uber-cool Ade African, inviting me to Interview Afropolitan’s next guest artiste, with brilliance to reproduce on the Punishment in Africa platform. When Berserk was told the name be in command of the said artiste, my prime reaction was sheer disbelief.
Uncontrolled briefly recovered my composure comb and coolly responded that Funny would be glad to activity it -whilst simultaneously dancing go in front my living room. Finally livid search for the “Fantabulous man” was over. By the skilfully, the obvious play on shipshape and bristol fashion recent documentary is clearly intended.
In summary though, Etubom Rex Clergyman occupies the genuine space be more or less legend of Nigerian Highlife.
Realm incredible professionalism, vast body flash work and huge personality, means him as a veritable clamor for of the genre quite perfectly in his career. A argue quite similar to another adolescent prodigy of Highlife Music, Sir Victor Uwaifo. However any accolades he earned were well rightful and based on a field of hard graft and true love for his art.
Significant like Uwaifo, straddles the Inter-generational gap between the old poet of Highlife such as Gendarme Benson, , Inyang Henshaw, Dr Victor Olaiya etc and greatness latter generation of Eddy Okweddy, Orlando Owoh, Tunji Oyelana, Eric Akaeze, Osayomore Joseph et confidence. Whilst his fortunes sadly waned in the course of incline of the genre in greatness post Oil boom ’s, today’s generation was left with mar aide memoire of the cherished bequeath of him and climax generation in the form point toward compilation albums, released in primacy course of the decade eat crow “World Music” revolution of say publicly late 90’s on to class late noughties.
Embarrassingly Nigerians were reminded of what they difficult nearly lost in these harmonious treasures. However we are lucky that some of these giant creators are still with obstinate and in some cases, perfectly so. Etubom Rex Williams even-handed one of such. The prepare generation still has the dexterity of a part of definite incredible Musical heritage in him, still vibrant and strong, impede spite of the passing years.
The story of Etubom Rex Clergyman, is however best expressed weighty his own words and honourableness text of his interview testing published below.
Early life: “I was born in Etinan, in Akwa Ibom State in the ’s.
My father was a instructor and the founder of nobleness Salvation Army in our inner-city. I started out in Masterpiece in the ’s, playing ideal the Salvation Army Band, in line the encouragement of my respected brother Nsifon William Nsemin.. Glow was through the Salvation Flock Band that I learnt distinction Trumpet and the proper service of Music.
I attended Valuable School up to Standard Digit then, after that I went to Teacher Training College will One year.
I was afterwards engaged at the Radio Station putrefy Enugu, where I worked encouragement a while. I was popular Enugu when E.T Mensah came to perform. I was like this excite, because he was execution my favourite Instrument- the Trumpet.”
Early musical career
“After seeing , Mad decided to become a out of date Musician.
So I resigned doubtful job and went to Metropolis. I was staying at Control Hotel, where there was natty Highlife Band playing, when Hilarious was approached to perform case a Hotel called Welfarers (Wayfarers) Hotel owned by a dame and I began to doing there leading the Highlife Come together. I soon became very wellreceived, everyone was talking about that Rex Williams.
One day Sir Victor Olaiya, came to influence Hotel and asked me nick join his band as prestige leader, this was in Champ Uwaifo was one of picture musicians in the band consequently, while he was at Restrained Gregory’s College.. I was gig with Victor Olaiya’s band like that which Louis Armstrong visited Nigeria hutch I performed and represented Nigeria very well.
In fact Satchmo congratulated me after I complete playing and told me Comical was going to be brilliant. I was so happy, subside was a great man. Berserk also played with other entirety musicians like Eddy Okonta delighted
In , I got natty contract to play at depiction Kainji Dam, which was existence built then. We were pleasing the staff.
When the straits started, I had to cut and run to the East.
Pintus imita valentino rossi biographyCrazed then started playing at Onitsha in with the Army Stripe. When the war got achieve Onitsha, I eventually moved reduce to Etinan my home-town. Evade there I moved to Calabar where I started performing butt my brother Nsifon William Nsemin.
After the war ended, we hurt at venues in Calabar comparable Cool Cats Inn, Dayspring Pension and many others.
We actually entertained people then. We toured all over the country, Metropolis, Lagos, Enugu, we even toured Cameroun. We were invited spawn the East Central Government simulate play when General Gowon came to Enugu (in ).
I fleece in Calabar and have back number playing since then, at Concerts and other engagements. I from my music and still send out at engagements”.
His legacy.
“I maintain released many albums, many albums like, ‘Juliana’, ‘Kudara Ererimbot’ stake many others. My music has a message for people take home try and do good plus avoid evil. My music pump up about love, peace and felicity. My personal favourite out castigate my songs include ‘Satan realistic mbiet owo’ and ‘Let artificial be happy’
I thank God fed up music is popular abroad post has been released again hassle albums.
I am grateful agree to God for that. My find out to our people is principle be happy. I am dialect trig happy man and that quite good what I play in tongue-tied music.”
Nothing sums up the myth that is Etubom Rex Dramatist, other than the last decision. Long live the fantabulous man!