A Tribute To Mac Tontoh-

----BY
OKYEREMA ASANTE.

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Life is a way side Inn on a rough and tumble safari. Every one stops here
overnight,after that you are only a memory .
Brother Mac, You have left a legacy that will always remain fresh in our
memories.
When a thick wall of blackness overhangs the earth,
When nights clammy hands is upon creation and everything is moist and cold,
Deep silence and stillness are broken when the cock crows, KOKUROKOO !
One cock crows, then another, Church bells toll, dogs bark,goats bleat , and
birds chip and twitter in trees.
All they are saying is THANK YOU ,Mac Tontoh for your contribution in making
this world a better place for all to live in.
Your passing has been a big blow to me, your family and all your fans and
admirers. You had a special place in my heart as a good friend and a senior
brother.
At a time when I was lonely and hungry, I arrived at Accra with my talking
drum and my suitcase,and my determination to introduce our traditional
atumpan ( Talking drum ) into the popular music scene in Ghana.
It was very difficult as the people will not have patience to listen to me
before passing Judgment .
What the hell are you doing at the dance hall ( Tip Toe Gardens ) with the
Talking drum ? This drum belongs to the palace in the bush, keep it there
for goodness sake. Here, we dig the soul music, James Brown, Jimmy Smith,
Wilson Picket e.t.c. You got to be really crazy to come here with the
talking drums and cloth around your waste. Don't you know what time it is ?
Look around, we are wearing bare bottoms and dancing to Cold Sweat , man,
you don't belong here. They told me.
I wasn't prepared to take a no for answer or let any ignoramus discourage
me. I will either join a band with the talking drum or perform solo. Believe
me the struggle was sad and tough. One day my childhood friend Kissi ,who
was a musician at Tema came to me with the first album of OSIBISA. He said
to me , Asante look at this, what you are trying to do here and it seems no
one is listening ,these people are doing it big time in London. I looked at
it and listened to the music over and over ,and I was blown away by the use
of the talking drum and other percussion instruments. I was pumped up and
more determined to pursue my dream. Now nobody can tell me I'm on the wrong
path. Since that day, Teddy Osei, Mac Tontoh and Sol Armaahfio became my
heroes.
Six months later ,after my floor show at Tiptoe gardens, I was approached by
Promoter and night club owner from Cape Coast, Mr, Lee Bentsi Enchil and the
owner of TWO GUYS Mr, AGYEKUM. They told me they like what I'm doing and
want me to open for OSIBISA on their very first tour of Ghana. I greed
without even thinking about money. I opened for them at the Star Hotel in
Accra, and THE Cultural Center in Kumasi. Mac ,Teddy and Sol ,were very
impressed with my performance and they encouraged me to keep it up. They
became my big brothers from then . I will never go to London without
visiting my big brothers. Mac or Teddy will always come and pick me up from
my hotel to spend a whole day with them. Mac Tontoh and OSIBISA have done a
lot for Ghana and Africa and it is time for all Ghanaians and Africans to
show our last respect. We thank you Brother MAC, and GOD BLESS YOU. DA YIE,
DA YIE ! DA YIE ! DA YIE !
W e are planning a special tribute for Mac Tontoh in September at the
EMBASSY OF GHANA AUDITORIUM IN WASHINGTON DC. please watch out for
details,and come in honor of our Brother.
OKYEREMA ASANTE.