Classic music is probably more familiar than we might at
first imagine. Indeed, nowadays it is all around us, it formally use to be
songs heard and enjoyed by the older generations. But these day the younger
generations listen and also infuse it to their own genre of music whether
hip-hop, Pop,Soul or R n B.
Reasons Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey graces my maiden Column on 'The Classic' segment is because the great music icon has carved a niche for himself in his arts and beyond. You Call his songs Oldies I call it Classical.
Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey as he's popularly known was born in 1942 into the family of late Mrs. Abigail Oyindamola Abeke Alaba Fabiyi and late Chief Nathaniel Olasewo Fabiyi as Ebenezer Remilekun Aremu Olasupo Obey-Fabiyi, in Idogo, Ogun State.
His professional career began in the mid-1950s after moving to Lagos where he joined Fatai Rolling-Dollar's band under whom he polished his musical skills; he later formed a band called 'The International Brothers' in 1964, playing highlife-juju fusion. The band later metamorphosed into Inter-Reformers in the early-1970s, with a long list of Juju album hits on the West African Decca musical label.
With his unique style, Obey began experimenting with Yoruba percussion style and expanding on the band by adding more drum kits, guitars and talking drums. His musical strengths lie in weaving intricate Yoruba axioms into dance-floor compositions.
Since the 1960's Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey has remained one of the most popular, prolific, influential and recurring decimal in Nigeria’s entertainment firmament releasing over fifty albums . Since he hit the turntable with the release of his debut album, Ewa Wo Ohun Ojuri in 1964, he has remained a household name.
Some of his popular songs are: Ota mi deyin leyin mi, Awolowo Babawa Tide. Olomi gbo temi,esa ma Miliki are a few amongst several other hits.
In the Yoruba social-circle music, Obey has remained at his the top shelf and not even age has been able to take the shine off his showmanship. In fact, like vintage wine, Obey gets better with age. This is evident in his latest effort, Obey at 70, which was unveiled not too long ago.
For Obey whose professional career in music dates back to the mid-1950s, it has been a long journey. Although, His romance with music began while he was barely a teenager in Idogo, Ogun State. He said, “The gift of music in me manifested itself right from when I was in primary school. I became a member of the school’s band and a member of the church choir. I later on became the school’s bandleader…There was a band called Ifelodun Marble Orchestra in Idogo. I was the smallest, but I played all the drums and led the vocals,” .
He married his late wife Juliana Olaide Olufade in 1963. His wife, known as Lady Evangelist Juliana Obey-Fabiyi, she died at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital on 23 August 2011, at aged 67. They have several children and grand children. A year after his marriage; he came into the lime light and has remained there ever since.
As is characteristic of Nigerian Yoruba social-circle music, the Inter-Reformers band excel in praise-singing for rich Nigerian socialites and business tycoons. Obey, however, is also renowned for Christian spiritual themes in his music and has since the early-1990s retired into Nigerian gospel music ministry
Obey worked within the praise song mold, vaunting both Christianity and the various heads of state for whom he played. But while his lyrics were traditional, his musical direction was highly innovative. In an effort to rise above his competition, Obey began to develop new musical "systems," adding as many as 20 new musicians to his ensemble at a time, extending the length of his album tracks, and pumping out hit after hit. A stylish and bluesy guitarist whose music had been contagious in Nigeria for years, he also enjoyed international success.
In the 1990's Obey was ordained by late Bishop Benson Idahosa after having heard the voice of God to lead his 'flocks'. Although like many of his counterparts he tried to shy away from the Call but at the long run he gave in to lead God's people.
A prolific maestro in his arts both on stage and on the pulpit Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey has seen it all and is still excelling from Grace to Grace at 70+ he is still a force to be reckoned with.
Complied by:
Tayo Ankra
Reasons Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey graces my maiden Column on 'The Classic' segment is because the great music icon has carved a niche for himself in his arts and beyond. You Call his songs Oldies I call it Classical.
Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey as he's popularly known was born in 1942 into the family of late Mrs. Abigail Oyindamola Abeke Alaba Fabiyi and late Chief Nathaniel Olasewo Fabiyi as Ebenezer Remilekun Aremu Olasupo Obey-Fabiyi, in Idogo, Ogun State.
His professional career began in the mid-1950s after moving to Lagos where he joined Fatai Rolling-Dollar's band under whom he polished his musical skills; he later formed a band called 'The International Brothers' in 1964, playing highlife-juju fusion. The band later metamorphosed into Inter-Reformers in the early-1970s, with a long list of Juju album hits on the West African Decca musical label.
With his unique style, Obey began experimenting with Yoruba percussion style and expanding on the band by adding more drum kits, guitars and talking drums. His musical strengths lie in weaving intricate Yoruba axioms into dance-floor compositions.
Since the 1960's Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey has remained one of the most popular, prolific, influential and recurring decimal in Nigeria’s entertainment firmament releasing over fifty albums . Since he hit the turntable with the release of his debut album, Ewa Wo Ohun Ojuri in 1964, he has remained a household name.
Some of his popular songs are: Ota mi deyin leyin mi, Awolowo Babawa Tide. Olomi gbo temi,esa ma Miliki are a few amongst several other hits.
In the Yoruba social-circle music, Obey has remained at his the top shelf and not even age has been able to take the shine off his showmanship. In fact, like vintage wine, Obey gets better with age. This is evident in his latest effort, Obey at 70, which was unveiled not too long ago.
For Obey whose professional career in music dates back to the mid-1950s, it has been a long journey. Although, His romance with music began while he was barely a teenager in Idogo, Ogun State. He said, “The gift of music in me manifested itself right from when I was in primary school. I became a member of the school’s band and a member of the church choir. I later on became the school’s bandleader…There was a band called Ifelodun Marble Orchestra in Idogo. I was the smallest, but I played all the drums and led the vocals,” .
He married his late wife Juliana Olaide Olufade in 1963. His wife, known as Lady Evangelist Juliana Obey-Fabiyi, she died at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital on 23 August 2011, at aged 67. They have several children and grand children. A year after his marriage; he came into the lime light and has remained there ever since.
As is characteristic of Nigerian Yoruba social-circle music, the Inter-Reformers band excel in praise-singing for rich Nigerian socialites and business tycoons. Obey, however, is also renowned for Christian spiritual themes in his music and has since the early-1990s retired into Nigerian gospel music ministry
Obey worked within the praise song mold, vaunting both Christianity and the various heads of state for whom he played. But while his lyrics were traditional, his musical direction was highly innovative. In an effort to rise above his competition, Obey began to develop new musical "systems," adding as many as 20 new musicians to his ensemble at a time, extending the length of his album tracks, and pumping out hit after hit. A stylish and bluesy guitarist whose music had been contagious in Nigeria for years, he also enjoyed international success.
In the 1990's Obey was ordained by late Bishop Benson Idahosa after having heard the voice of God to lead his 'flocks'. Although like many of his counterparts he tried to shy away from the Call but at the long run he gave in to lead God's people.
A prolific maestro in his arts both on stage and on the pulpit Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey has seen it all and is still excelling from Grace to Grace at 70+ he is still a force to be reckoned with.
Complied by:
Tayo Ankra
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