Music legend and the only remaining member of the 80s pop band Brenda and The Big Dudes, David Mabaso, felt a sense of gratification after being awarded a lifetime achievement award.
Mabaso was honoured at the Backing Vocalists and Session Musicians Awards that took place at the Soweto Theatre in Jabulani yesterday.
Apart from being part of The Big Dudes, Mabaso also performed with both local and international artists like American musicians Clarence Carter and Sharon Redd.
He also worked with Pappa and Blondie Makhene, Rebecca Malope, the late Hugh Masekela, Sipho Mabuse and Stimela, among others.
Despite being unable to attend the ceremony due to another engagement, Mabaso told Sowetan he was honoured to have been acknowledged for the work he has been doing for over 40 years.
“This award means a lot to me. It is a pity people that we started with in the group are no longer here. But this honour is also for them. I want to thank sis Yvonne [Chaka Chaka who founded the awards] for remembering me and honouring me with this award. It is very special indeed,” Mabaso said.
Brenda and The Big Dudes emerged with the classic hit Weekend Special in 1983 and conquered the music scene. It was made-up of Brenda Fassie (vocals), Mabaso (bass guitar), Desmond Malotana (keyboards), Dumisani Ngubeni (keyboards), Job “Fasts” Mlangeni and Rufus Klaas (guitar).
Mabaso remembers it like it was yesterday when Brenda and The Big Dudes got their big break.
Before the band came into the picture, the musicians were just known as a Pappa and Blondie Makhene backing band while Brenda used to open for them.
After their performance with Sharon Redd when she visited SA, EMI Records bosses wanted them to record their own music. The group recorded Weekend Special at the time they did not even have a name.
“We continued backing Pappa and Blondie until they split with their manager, which affected us as backing band. We were told that we had been sold to Gallo Records and would be managed by a different person. I remember that for two months we were very frustrated. We used to go to Gallo Records and sit there the whole day drinking.
“That continued until Simon Buthelezi rescued us by taking us to EMI Records. We were signed and they bought us new clothes and even a Kombi to travel in. After that Pappa and Blondie fixed their issues with their manager and we continued to back them.”
According to Mabaso, Brenda and The Big Dudes were unleashed at a concert at the Natalspruit Hall on the East Rand where Pappa and Blondie were performing.
“We just heard the MC saying, ‘now ladies and gentlemen, we are introducing you to a new band …Brenda Fassie and The Big Dudes’. We played Weekend Special and Life is Going on. And we played Weekend Special until 6am the next morning. Music fans refused to let us leave the stage.”
Since it was a new band, the group had to go to the studio and record more songs. The group began performing across the country and was in much demand.
He reveals that the band began having serious money problems and their problems were marred by unruly behaviour, arriving late for performances and excessive drinking.
Fassie was dating Ngubeni, with whom she had a child, Bongani.
“Sometimes the other band members would be drunk while performing. You will find that it is only me and Sam who were sober. There was a place where the band arrived late and people wanted to beat us up.
"In other areas, people would not allow us to leave, forcing us to perform the whole night. At some point we had to drop Dumisani because he was unruly,” Mabaso said.
The group went on to release its debut album, Let’s Stick Together, in 1984, Higher & Higher in 1985 and in 1986 the group released No! No! Señor and Weekend Special (USA Remixes).
In 1987, the group released Amalahle and Fassie left to pursue a solo career. The Big Dudes continued, releasing three further albums: Pulling Very Hard (1987), No Share For The Boys (1988) and S’good S’nice (1989).
The awards honoured musicians who worked consistently between 2000 and 2005.
Madala Kunene, Suthukazi Arosi, Kokotile Rakhetla, Kenny Mathaba and Lenny Mathaba were also honoured with lifetime achievement awards.
The Special Award was presented to Joseph Makwela, credited as the originator of the Mbaqanga sound who played for Makgona Tsohle Band and Mahlathini and Mahotella Queens.
The winners in the 13 categories included Joel Klein who won Best Guitarist; Denny Lalouette received an award for Best Bass Guitarist.
Lolo Rollins received a nod for being the Best Piano and Keys player. Basi Mahlasela was recognized as Best Percussionist.
Mncedisi Ndamase won Best Drums and Sydney Mavundla for Best Brass Section.
Silindile Ntini emerged victorious as the Best Female Backing Vocalist Live/Studio and Bheki Nene took the Best Male Backing Vocalist Live/Studio.
Lulama Lallo won the Best Gospel and Kuki Mncube walked away with Best Jazz Award.
Madoda Ntshingila who has with all maskandi artists both young and old was recognized as the Best Traditional.
Chaka Chaka congratulated the winners and nominees.
"It was great to witness the magic inside the Soweto Theatre this afternoon. It restored my faith in the music industry that I love so much and have dedicated my life to serving. We owe a great deal of gratitude to our sponsors, who gave so generously to bring our vision to life.
"We will continue to strive to put first the welfare of backing vocalists and session musicians who are often neglected and unrecognised. They are an important part of the music making ecosystem. Thank you to all who made this year’s event a success, especially the all-female power production team and the Princess of Africa Foundation office. Till next year."
bambalelep@sowetan.co.za
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