User:Dezeem/TATALO ALAMU

Alhaji Tatalo Alamu & his Talking Drum was the band name of late Alhaji Tatalo Alamu. He had his operating base at Opo-Yeosa, Ibadan and had several successful LPs to his name. He was so proud of his town, Ibadan, that he hardly released an LP without singing praises of his beloved city and its people. He sojourned in Eko (Lagos) in his early days where he used to be the first-among-equals in the talking drum music and use of talking drum to sing praises and "oriki" (as the custom of the Yorubas) of important people of Eko, including the Oba, and chiefs of Eko. He was a child-star with talent in traditional talking drum and had his training under his dad who was also a leading talking drum professional in Ibadan. He was so successfully renowned in the city that he had among his followers then, some other later successful musicians,like Alhaji Ayinla Omowura. Both had brotherly friendship with constant exchange of visits till the tragic death of Alhaji Ayinla Omowura in the early 80s. Another great musician who used to eulogise Tatalo's talent of talking drum beating was Alhaji Yusuf Olatunji, who died while at a gathering of musicians which included Alhaji Tatalo in 1978.

"Tatalo" was actually derived from his passion for a Yoruba stew/soup called "Gbegiri". He so much loved the soup that he used to beg and implore his mother, to ground more pepper to spice up and produce more "Gbegiri" out of the previous day's one. So "Tatalo" was a derivation of, "Tun ata lo si gbegiri ati ana" or "Ta-ta-lo si gbegiri ana".

As he was so great in music so was his philanthropism. Nobody remained hungry in his presence.

Till his death he remained the favourite musician of the elite of his generation, Ibadans most especially. Among his fans was late Alhaji Lamidi Ariyibi Adedibu (also his brother- in-law), who always made sure it was Tatalo that played at most of the important personal ceremony he organised, apart from the political ones of course.

He was a titan of his era and had most of his LPs, with OMO-AJE RECORDING STUDIO, owned by his long time friend, Alhaji Saliu Adetunji, now a high chief and a member of Olubadan-in-council.

Among other musicians that were influenced by Tatalo are the late Alhaji Dauda Epo Akara, Alhaji Kolawole Ayinla Kollington and the King of Fuji himself Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde.

In most cases, musicians build names through the formation of a band and as the band grows the name of the founder becomes more popular. Opposite was the case of Tatalo who was a child prodigy, exceptionally talented in the art of traditional drum, "iya ilu". He developed his talent right from when he started walking as a child, through a tutelage from his father, who himself a successful professional drummer. As he grew up his skill and talent made him a household name in Yorubaland, most especially in Lagos and Ibadan. No other musician of his generation had fame before him. He was the preferred drummer for the cream of high society in Lagos during his sojourn there in the early part of his career.

One other notable peculiar case of Tatalo was his changing of the order of common hierarchical structure in musical bands. As a very successful drummer he was more popular than the growing musicians of his early part of his career. His popularity then, overshadowed any of the musician just finding their level, none couldn't have the wherewithal to employ him as even their lead drummer. So he did one thing that was very rare, he created a band and built it around his fame.

Tatalo Alamu And His Talking Drum, was founded by him, he included lead vocalist and all other type of talents that can make a musical band. Among those that worked with him were, Alhaji Amuda Agboluaje, Alhaji Eleshinla, Alhaji Rafiu Foko, Gani Iseyin, Morufu Egbinola etc. And the chief composer for his band was his tight friend, Alhaji Muri Iyalode.

Till his death in 1985,Alhaji Tatalo Alamu remained a giant in Yoruba musical industry and father figure to almost all the musicians of his beloved town, Ibadan. Dezeem (talk) 19:41, 15 May 2010 (UTC) KAZEEM ADELEKE (LIVING WITNESS AND WHO HAS DIRECT ACCESS TO THE HISTORY, LIVE AND WORK OF THE SUBJECT )