By Gani Kayode Balogun JR
I have stayed away from the now subdued controversy stirred up by an interview granted by Mr, Kunle Ayanlowo, followed up by other drummers who decided to use their fifteen minutes of fame to grind whatever axe, real or imagined, that they had with their band leaders, living or dead.
As a matter of fact, especially in the Yoruba country, the beef between band leaders and lead drummers is the norm, not the exception.
From Tatalo Alamu and Amuda Agboluaje. to Ayinla Omowura and Adewale. From Sunny Ade and Alhaji Sharafa to Ayinla Kollinton and Orikanbody. Sikiru Ayinde Barrister and Kamoru Ayansola to Saheed Osupa and his former drummer.
There are exceptions to the rule, like Aderoju Yekinni, who remains faithful to the legacies of his old boss even to this day.
Once upon a time, Drummers were band leaders. They usually employ vocalists to serve as front men. Even when Singers formed bands, they usually placed the drummers almost at par with themselves. As the album sleeves of most early bands show, the vocalist and the lead drummer usually adorn the same identical attires, to emphasize their importance to the group.
From Abibu Oluwa to Yusuf Olatunji, Haruna Ishola to S. Aka, Ayinla Omowura to Ayinde Barrister, even drummer turned vocalist Lefty Salami Balogun, the respect was mutual..
But with the advent of western style bands that lay emphasis on vocals, the role of the lead drummer become secondary, and their indispensability was watered down with the introduction of multiple drum families that could be used as lead.
Sometimes it came about by circumstances. When Barry’s lead drummer Seaman , who was on Sakara left, the emphasis shifted to the Apala drum of Kamoru Ayansola, Even Wasiu Ayinde, who based his entire percussion on the Sakara, moved to Apala drum as lead when Ayanlowo joined the band, changing the direction of the percussion.
Despite lots of ignorant commentaries about the matter, I am afraid nothing would change fundamentally in these relationships. There are now many young, self thought Apala drummers, especially from Church Choirs, who are willing and ready to play behind vocalists on a show by show basis, thereby eliminating the need for big bands. Same goes for other instrumentalists as well.
This may be the direction of the future. After all, most artistes on foreign tours no longer travel with their full bands anymore. Some even travel alone and source back up from hundreds of former band boys of numerous artistes who stayed behind during full band tours in the 90s, who are now available for hire, one show at a time.
Instead of drummers going on social media to denigrate their bosses under the illusion that they are equal, they should simply become drummers for hire to the highest bidder on a show to show basis. That way they can control the narrative by becoming independent performers, totally responsible for their craft, instead of demonizing band leaders who are the faces of the band.
The face, and the voice that people came to see perform, an act that led to why there is money to be shared in the first place.
Deroju Onilu mi…Lu ilu fun mi gangan!
My10kobo.
… Balogun JR is a social commentator
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