THE eldest son of the late Four Brothers frontman Marshall Munhumumwe—Marshall Jnr—has finally joined his father’s band after years of a tug-of-war with current band leader, James Nyamande, whom he had accused of using the name, Four Brothers, without legal rights.
BY JAIROS SAUNYAMA
Nyamande had been steering the ship since Munhumumwe’s death.
The coming on board of Marshall Jnr, as the band’s administrator, has been described as a positive development following the bitter wrangle of the past.
This resulted in Nyamande reviving his initial ensemble Makombe Brothers during shows, despite playing songs by the late Munhumumwe.
NewsDay caught up with the 43-year-old Marshall Jnr at a recent show in Marondera, where he confirmed his role in the Four Brothers.
“I am now part of the group. I am the administrator. I am working well with the band members. My input is greatly needed and I will do all within my powers to secure more shows for the group,” he said.
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The current Four Brothers are members of Makombe Brothers.
Marshall Jnr becomes one of many sons of legends to take over their father’s bands. Others include Sulumani Chimbetu, Tendai and Morgan Dembo and Potiphar Mopo, who have all followed in their late fathers’ footsteps.
Nyamhande said he was happy to work with Marshall Jnr.
“The band has been waiting for this moment and we are all happy that Marshall is with us. So far we are working well together. We will ensure that his father’s legacy lives. Four Brothers commands a huge following in and around Harare and we are always there to perform for them,” he said.
The Four Brothers were one of the most successful local music outfits with their fast-paced guitar-based pop music.
Founded in Zimbabwe in 1977 by Munhumumwe and Never Mutare with Edward Matigasi and Aleck Chipaika, the band gained international recognition in the late 1980s with UK BBC Radio 1 DJ, John Peel being their most well-known advocate.
In 1997, Munhumumwe suffered a stroke following a car crash. He was unable to continue performing with the band.
He died in 2001 at the age of 49 and the following year bass guitarist Never Mutare also died. The last founder member, Frank Sibanda, died in December 2010.
