Tribute To A Fallen Hero

Legendary musician was larger than life and he contributed enormously to the music industry

- Pheto Ramakobya

AS NEWS of veteran musician Ray Phiri’s passing spread, many have been reminded of the huge contribution the star made to the South African music industry throughout his 47-year music career. Ray passed away recently at a Nelspruit hospital at the age of 70, after a two-month battle with lung cancer.

HIS RISE TO FAME

Raymond Chikapa Enock Phiri was born in Mpumalanga to a Malawian immigrant worker and South African guitarist nicknamed ‘Just Now’ Phiri.

Ray took to music at a young age, teaching himself how to play the guitar while watching his father perform. He became the founding member of the Cannibals in the 1970s. When the Cannibals disbanded, Ray founded Stimela, with whom he conceived gold and platinum-selling albums like Fire, Passion and Ecstasy (1991), Look, Listen and Decide (1992) as well as the controversial People Don’t Talk So Let’s Talk.