Mtukudzi at 60, celebrations to be held at Glamis stadium

LOCAL and regional artistes are set to descend on Harare for Oliver Mtukudzi's much-awaited 60th birthday celebrations to be held at the Glamis Stadium on September 21.

The mammoth event will see some of South Africa's leading music legends - Dorothy Masuka, Steve Dyer, Ringo Madlingozi and Judith Sephuma - entertaining people at the bash.

Most of these artistes have at some point shared the stage with Tuku either in their country or on international tours where their music is well received.

For Tuku, this will be reminiscent of the days when he collaborated with other regional artistes - Dyer included - in the formation of a regional music group called Mahube.

However, this bash is special and promises to be a memorable and thrilling experience.

Tuku will also use the platform to celebrate the wealth of music experience he has imparted to the crop of young Zimbabwean musicians.

The likes of sungura music icon Alick Macheso, Suluman and Tryson Chimbetu, Jah Prayzah, Peter Moyo, Willom Tight, Jays Marabini, Fungisai Zvakavapano-Mashavave, Diana Samkange and Munya Mataruse will join the living legend of Zimbabwean music in celebrating his birthday.

The organising committee of Tuku's 60th celebrations, which is made up of music promoters Partson "Chipaz" Chimbodza and Josphat Hozheri together with Watson Chimbodza and Mike Mashonganyika, said they were proud to be associated with the event.

"The legendary music icon, Oliver Mtukudzi, has continued to represent Zimbabwe across continents and locally through his music for decades. We at Tuku Music would like to invite several organisations to join us in celebrating Tuku's 60th birthday through music with an all-star music show to be held on September 21, 2012, at Glamis Stadium.

"We intend to make this show the ‘Show of the Century'," they said in a statement.

With more than 50 albums to his credit, Tuku started his music career in the early 1970s as a member of the Wagon Wheels Band.

With his husky voice, he has become the most recognised voice to emerge from Zimbabwe and onto the international scene and he has earned a devoted following across Africa and beyond.

Tuku sings in Shona along with Ndebele and English.

He also incorporates elements of different musical traditions, giving his music a distinctive style, known to fans as "Tuku Music".

He has many accolades to his name and is also Unicef's Goodwill Ambassador.

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