Background
He was born in Lagos, began performing around 1935, and first recorded on the HMV label in 1937.
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Ayinde Bakare
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His band started with four members (banjo ukulele, shekere, juju, vocals), but by 1949 had grown to seven members, and by 1959 to eight (electric guitar, shekere, juju, two varieties of conga (akuba and ogido), gangan, and two supporting vocalists). He is thought to have been the first juju musician to use an amplified guitar, in 1949, after switching to the guitar from the banjo ukulele. Bakare"s innovations established the mainstream style of juju music in Nigeria after World World War World War II He tried to retain the same personnel within his bands, used his own material rather than that from other bands, and tried to avoid any dilution of the traditional features of his music, believing that musical continuity would enhance its quality.
He was extremely popular with the socialites across Yorubaland, especially in Lagos and Ibadan in the 1950s and 1960s, gaining him the nickname "Mr Juju".
He also visited and toured in Britain in 1957. Recordings made in London at that time by Bakare and his Meranda Orchestra were issued as singles in Britain by Melodisc Records, and were later compiled as an album, Live the Highlife, released in 1968.
He died in unexplained circumstances in 1972, after a performance at a wedding party in Lagos. The band took a break during the party, during which Bakare was summoned backstage.
He never returned, and his body was found three days later floating in Lagos Lagoon.
The police suspected foul play, and a coroner"s inquest was held.
Membership
The coroner found that he died from drowning, and cast suspicion on two members of his band who had complained about being underpaid, but said that there was no incontrovertible evidence as to their involvement.
