The Sunday Mail
Dennis Chimanzi
SATURDAY will mark exactly 26 years since the late music great, Leonard “Musoro Wenyoka” Dembo, passed on.
Several commemoration gigs have been held over the years.
However, the tribute event will this time take a different dimension.
The late singer’s sons, Tendai and Morgan, have arranged a social soccer tournament and music gig to be held at Chaka, Chirumhanzu, in honour of the fallen legend.
In addition, some of the surviving Barura Express band members that played with Dembo will be part of the April 9 event.
Rhythm guitarist Innocent Mjintu has already confirmed he will be part of the cast.
Speaking in an interview with The Sunday Mail Society, Tendai Dembo, who now fronts Barura Express, said preparations for the commemoration had gathered pace.
“We have to do something special for him every year. He is our hero and deserves to be remembered all the time,” said Tendai.
“Our father’s music is immortal. It is now 26 years since we lost him but his songs remain popular.”
Barura Express will share the stage with Mjintu’s Zimbabwe Africa Rhythm Experts (Zare).
Also, they will combine forces playing the late singer’s songs together with other former Barura Express band members.
Guest artistes will also be unveiled on the day.
“We are going to perform in collaboration with Mjintu and his band. He (Mjintu) is a seasoned rhythm guitarist who needs no introduction.
“Fans have been requesting songs they want us to play on the day and we are taking note. It is going to be a day to remember,” added Tendai.
Winners of the social soccer tournament will walk away with Leonard Dembo medals and US$500 cash.
“We are going to have a social soccer match, where community teams will compete for the ‘Leonard Dembo 26 years’ silver medal and US$500 dollars.
“The prizes up for grabs could still increase in due course as some sponsors want to partner us for the event,” revealed Dembo’s son.
Mjintu, who also played a role in grooming Tendai, said he had massive respect for the late music icon.
He reckons the “Chitekete” hitmaker was extremely gifted and can never be matched.
“Dembo died about 26 years ago but his music remains fresh and better than that from today’s musicians. He was a rare talent and will forever be remembered for his marvellous work both in the studio and on stage,” he said.
“I am happy that Tendai is trying his best to keep the legacy alive. Fans should not be tempted to compare him with his father. Dembo was in a league of his own. Not even a single person has successfully copied his trade to date.”
Born on February 6, 1959, Dembo died in 1996 at the age of 37 and was buried in Chirumhanzu, Midlands.
