Dr. Victor Olaiya Clocks 60years On Stage

HIGHLIFE music maestro, Dr. Victor Abimbola Olaiya (OON) popularly known as Victor Olaiya will be on the bandstand during a concert to celebrate his 60 years on stage on Sunday September 16 at the Banquet Hall of Lagos City Hall, Lagos. Organiers of the concert stated in a release that it will be 'wonderful if the Federal Ministry of Culture, Tourism can throw their weight on the occasion as Victor Olaiya the great man who brought joy to Nigerian independence through his outstanding performance at (Odan -- later known as Race Course) now Tafawa Balawa Square in 1960'
At present, Victor Olaiya is the oldest and most active highlife musician in the whole world after the demise of Bobby Benson who passed on 29 years ago and Jerry Hansen leader of Ramblers Dance Band of Ghana who passed on recently at age of 85 years. Those who stamped the sobriquet the Highlife Evil Genius on Victor Olaiya years back must have been convinced roundly that he was the highflier to beat in all ramifications.
From that moment, his star too, has been shinning, justifying Olaiya's placement. These have been manifesting in cunning and unfolding dramatic scenario with big time performances here and there. One of them, was recorded when he took the centre stage during Queen Elizabeth II visit to Nigeria in 1956. Four years later, Victor Olaiya consolidated that recognition when he dusted other contemporaries to play as the official band during Nigeria's independence in 1960. On that auspicious occasion, he actually mesmerised all, especially those in government. That expectedly fetched him another big time engagement when Nigeria became a republic in 1963. During that landmark gathering, Cool Cats Orchestra led by Victor Olaiya shared the stage with famous American Jazz player, late Louis Armstrong.
His unquenchable thirst for music and relevance, was boosted recently with package observers maintain cuts across age and social strata. With this, it is evident, that although, God created Dr Victor Abimbola Olaiya for the last century, but through handwork and perseverance, he found himself in this century, from strong indications, has since qualified for the next century.
Olaiya's invaluable contributions to highlife music shall forever be cherished by students and players of the music.
Reference may also be made to the Giant Jubilee (Golden Tunes Concert) a most successful celebration organised by Evergreen Musical Company Limited for Nigerian Independence in October 2010 during which 45 greatest Nigerian and Ghanaian artistes were celebrated and given various awards, some posthumously including Bobby Benson, E.T. Mensah (Ghana), Fatai Rolling Dollar, Ebenezer Obey, Sunny Ade, Rex Lawson etc. It has since been confirmed as the greatest Musical Celebration in Nigerian History. Want the latest Nigerian News? Subscribe to NTA2Lagos by clicking on this link    / @nta2lagos   then on subscribe

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