Zamrock: The forgotten psychedelic rock wave that took Zambia by storm

Nina Bohata
May 19, 2020
3 min read

What is Zamrock???

Zambian Rock music (Zamrock) is a genre of music that became popular in mid 70s Zambia. The music can be described a mixture of traditional African beats, Zambian folk music and psychedelic rock.

How it started???

Lusaka in the early independance years - Steve and Jill Moorey

In 1964 Zambia gained independence from the United Kingdom and the president Kenneth Kaunda wanted to reshape Zambia’s national identity. Now having control over their biggest export, copper mining, there was more economic freedom for their citizens. Young people were using their spare money on buying records and the British upper class that still settled in Zambia imported LPs of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Elvis, Jimi Hendrix and many more. This was the beginning to the zamrock era. Local musicians began to emulate the music that they enjoyed. Zamrock legend Emmanuel 'Jagari' Chanda said in an interview with Redbull “any guitarist who said they were a guitarist started with playing Hey Joe( by Hendrix).” Bands such as Rave 5 were modelled after The Rolling Stones and Lusaka Beatles after The Beatles. Hotels began employing entertainers for their guests and musicians could now earn more than they did in their previous day jobs.

Popular artists of the genre and notable songs:

W.I.T.C.H

Their name is an acronym for We Intend To Cause Havoc. W.I.T.C.H was led by Emmanuel 'Jagari' Chanda as their lead vocalist. They were one of the most famous bands of this era however shifted their style towards disco once Jagari left the band.

Musi O Tunya

This band was named after the original name of Victoria Falls, it means storms that thunder. Their lead vocalist Rikki Ililonga, known as one of the godfathers of zamrock, is their last surviving member.

Paul Ngozi

Paul Ngozi's music is known for being relatable in that it made social commentary that many Zambians could relate to. He is also a pioneer of kalindula music which also became popuar in the 70s

Keith Mlevhu

Amanaz

The Peace

Why it ended???

Global Copper prices dropped which impacted the economy in Zambia. As wages dropped people didn’t have the money to buy records. The Zambian government also supported the independence of neighbouring African countries however this put them under threat from the militaries of these countries still under colonial rule.

Kenneth Kaunda - President of Zambia (1964-1991)

Bombing of power stations created power shortages and a curfew prevented the people from staying out at night. Although some bands still tried to perform it required the bands and audience to hide for as long as 12 hours ,6pm to 6am, to avoid getting caught. Then came the rise of disco as it was easier to go and listen to one dj playing a whole lot of music than go and see different live bands. In 1984 the first case of aids was reported, many people died including most of the original zamrock musicians. Jagari said it may have been due to the rock n roll lifestyle of these musicians.

Surviving zamrock musicians and the rediscovery of the forgotten genre

Chanda and Ililonga

Emmanuel 'Jagari' Chanda decided to leave his life as a musician to work as a music teacher at a college in Lusaka in order to have a more stable job to support his family. Rikki Ililonga moved to Denmark after playing his last few concerts. Due to them leaving the industry they survived the aids epidemic.

A rediscovery of the genre began when blogs began taking interest, this resulted in a few music labels from Los Angeles going in search for the music that they could find. The growing interest from the west gave zamrock legends Jagari and Ililonga the opportunity to tour again.

Emmanuel 'Jagari' Chanda

Who would expect a psychedelic rock genre to be birthed in Zambia. This rediscovery gives such an insight into the history of Zambia and how music is always a product of the times. You can now stream music from Jagari, Illilonga and other zamrock classics on major platforms!!!