COVENTRY Music Museum curator Pete Chambers BEM writes for the Observer.
The Coventry Music Museum has been attracting some interest of late, not least for its clever pastiche of the cover of The Specials’ first album re-imagined as an advert to promote their latest campaign that seeks new volunteers to the Ball Hill-based attraction.
So can you lend a hand and be part of the museum’s superb team?
They are looking for friendly people who are happy to interact with the visitors and can give at least one day up (10.00am to 3.30pm).
There is no pay, but there is a great experience with guests from all over the globe, and a chance to talk music all day long.
You don’t have to be a Coventry music expert, just someone happy to work in a team.
Call Pete Chambers on 07971171441 or email [email protected] if you are interested.
Father of Kenyan music, calling local musicians
Charles Worrod may not be a well-known name in Coventry, but he was not only one of Africa’s top music producers and a pioneer on the East African music scene, who helped to create the infrastructure and became known as The Father of Kenyan Music.
He was born on June 23, 1912 in Milton Street, Coventry. He grew up at 67 Dean Street and passed away in June 2008.
He left post-war Britain and relocated to South Africa, moving into theatre.
He produced reviews and pantomimes and handled the visits of international stars such as Danny Kaye, Johnny Raye, Maurice Chevalier and Alfred Hitchcock.
Worrod left South Africa and settled in Nairobi Kenya, setting up the Equator Sound Studios Limited.
“When I founded Equator Sound Studios , the Kenya recording industry was in a shocking state” said Charles.
“African artists were being paid as little as thirty shillings a record so I instituted local royalties and sat with the broadcasting authority to work out the details”.
Charles was responsible for the career of legendary East African musician Daudi Kabaka.
Famous for his African Twist (an off-beat number to which one could ‘twist’ American style). He recorded the songs
Harambee Harambee African Twist and Helule.
This was covered by the Tremolos and became a number a top twenty hit for them in 1968.
Another of Charles’ finds was a young guy called Hank, who changed his name to Roger Whittaker and became an international star.
Now Charles’s daughter Jenetta Barry is asking local Coventry musicians if they would join forces to sing a song for her daughter.
She said: “I founded a charity called ‘World Jenny’s Day’ after my 16-year-old daughter Jenny took her life after she and I argued.
“We hold a 24-hour performing arts marathon (this year part of the marathon is being held in London at the Millennium Gloucester) every October 10.
“Jen died on World Mental Health Day, so we now hold World Jenny’s Day on that day.”
“I would love to chat to someone about gathering some of our Coventry musicians new and old to sing the song “Malaika” which Dad put on the international map through his Equator Records label. Harry Belafonte, Miriam Makeba, Brothers Four, Pete Seeger, Boney-M and many others have sung it.
It would be great to do a tribute (a bit like We Are The World) and use it for World Jenny’s Day.
Visit [email protected] if you are interested in being part of this amazing project.
