Fela Day

So this happened. For my birthday we went to a tribute to Fela Kuti featuring three musicians from his ‘70s and ‘80s bands: guitarist and singer Kiala The King K, percussionist Chief Udoh Essiet, and guitarist Oghene Kologbo. The 15+ person band was great, and it was no wonder they were playing such authentic Afrobeat, with that lineup. Then they brought out Tony Allen, living legend and Fela’s long-time drummer, so I was over the moon. The show ended with a blisteringly fast “Zombie”. It was amazing to hear the interlocking guitars of that song live, played by some of the people who played on the original records. For some strange reason I wasn’t asked on stage to jam (something lost in translation?), but maybe next time.