The fall of a mighty tree

[SunNews]

–Tributes pour in for Rolling Dollar

By Yemi Omidiji

It came with a rude shock in the entertainment industry, the death of music legend and pioneer of juju music, Fatai Olagunju popularly called Fatai Rolling Dollar. The axe of death suddenly fell on the acclaimed Nigeria's oldest singer on Wednesday morning after a brief illness.

Even though, Rolling Dollar has since been committed to mother earth on Thursday, artistes continue to mourn and pay tribute to him. First to comment was the boss of celebrity hangout, O'Jez, Chief Joseph Odobeatu who described the fallen musician as irreplaceable.

"He was a wonderful man and fantastic musician. It is very painful that we lost him. He was a great elder who did his best for the industry.

Everyone at O'jez is mourning the loss. He has been playing here every Friday for the past 10 years. He is irreplaceable. O'jez started with him in 1998 from Iwaya. We plan to give him a befitting burial and immortalize him. We have set up a committee to meet with the family so that we can know how and what to do to support the burial."

Expressing shock at the passage of Rolling Dollar, COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji said: "Just before leaving the country, I got a hint that Pa Fatai Rolling Dollar was in hospital. I had so badly wanted to see him but there was just no time.

He was a legend, a fantastic person with a very positive attitude to life who treated everyone with courtesy. I believe that his attitude to life was responsible for the long life he lived and that should be a lesson for all us. He was committed to the unity of the Nigerian music industry and never missed any meeting of COSON. He will be missed by a lot of people whom he inspired.

COSON will ensure that Fatai Rolling Dollar is immortalized." Speaking on the sad exit, Mr. Chinedu Chukwuji, General Manager, COSON, described the musician thus: "It is indeed very sad to hear of the death of Pa Fatai Rolling who is a major stakeholder in our music industry.

It is a sad moment for the industry and we say may his soul rest in peace." Ex-Kennis Music act, Tony Tetula, described Rolling Dollar as the oldest musician from Africa if not the world: "Till death he was the oldest musician in Africa if not the whole world. He made both the old and young happy. Whenever you are with him, you can never feel sad. He was a bridge between the younger and the older ones.

Many of us musicians borrowed a leaf from his lyrics." Meanwhile, artistes in the Yoruba sector of the Nigerian motion picture industry, where Rolling Dollar had a brief stint have been paying tributes to the fallen musician.

"His death is an exit of an icon. I thank God for his life because he lived a fulfilled life. He made an indelible mark while alive. Other people like us should try and emulate him in the area of contentment. The Federal Government should try and create a monument for him.

He served our nation, Nigeria. We, all artistes, need to rally round to pay him our inestimable tribute," actor Dele Odule said. On his part, veteran actor, Adebayo Salami aka Oga Bello describes his death thus: "His death is pathetic.

He was a credible figure whom the entire Nigerian entertainment industry would really miss. He believed in the struggle for success. He was very determined. There was a time he got stuck along his career; it was as if the end had come for him.

But his faith sustained him. We all loved him." Comedian David Olanrewaju aka Baba Ijesha says no word can perfectly qualify late Rolling Dollar whom he describes as a role model: "He was a role model. Apart from his talent, he loved to live a low profile life.

He was so humble. In the studio, I used to call him names without adding either Mr. or Pa. But he would only answer with a smile. He was the only musician who had no rival. He loved giving more than receiving from people.

He was the best Agidigbo (thumb piano) player in Africa." Alhaji Ade Adenrele says he only discovered three years ago that he was related to the fallen musician: "I only discovered three years ago that we were relatives; I discovered he was my uncle. He was a free man.

One of the few things I appreciate about him is that he never discriminated at all. He has been very kind to me and other people in the family."

Commenting, Funsho Adeolu, another actor said: "We thank God for his life. He reigned first as a youth and again as an old man. He definitely lived a fulfilled life. He was a great musician. What I loved about him was his dress sense. He dressed like a young man most of the time you couldn't predict his real age. He made me know that age is just a thing of the mind."

According to actor Enola Olaniyan, Rolling Dollar suffered much from the activities of pirates and that could have precipitated his death: "His demise should stimulate our government to act fast and decisively in curbing piracy. A friend of mine once lamented that many of us have died due to the evil done by pirates. Rolling Dollar was a good man; everybody wanted to hang out with him. We love him.

Father, please, sleep well in the bosom of the Lord." Commenting, Shefiu Alao, a fuji musician says: "Rolling Dollar called me two weeks ago, informing me that he wanted to celebrate his 75 years on stage and that he had specially chosen only me to perform. I am surprised to hear his sudden death now. Well, that is just how God wanted it. I would still pay him his requested tribute anyway. May God grant him eternal rest."

For popular comedian, Mr. Latin, his death can aptly be described as the end to an era. "He was a good man. He lived two lives. He lived the first half, which was the first life and the second half, which was his second life.

He was a model to all artistes." Another actor, Ajala Jalingo says. "Rolling dollar was an epitome of humility when he was alive. He really exhibited as a leader what he taught his apprentices. That was why Ebenezer Obey is also humble. That is why all of us respect and love him.

We love him but God wanted him most." Candy Sea, a musician, lamented thus: "He was a credible musician I respect so much when it comes to music. Oh! Why did God take him away?"

Via: Sun News Online