Mabuse, Stimela remember Phiri
Tonight’s gig ‘a trip down memory lane’ for Hotstix
Legendary singer Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse has described his scheduled performance tonight in honour of Ray Phiri as an emotional trip down memory lane.
Mabuse will join Stimela at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni, to remember the band’s founding member, who died two months ago.
The band that now comprises drummer Isaac Mtshali, Lloyd Lelosa (keyboards), Jabu Sibumbe (bass), Thapelo Khomo (keyboards) and Ntokozo Zungu (guitar), will perform together for the first time since the death of Phiri.
Mabuse, who collaborated with Phiri in the past, said tonight’s performance will be a trip down memory.
“We had a reverting performance with Ray at Birchwood last year. Tonight, when I get on that stage with Stimela, all those memories will come back. I know it will be emotional for me. I pray that those emotions don’t overpower me,” he said.
Mabuse will perform two songs with Stimela. The Band’s founding member, Sibumbe, echoed Mabuse’s sentiments that tonight’s performance will also be emotional for the band.
“To be honest, we have not mourned Ray’s death. Performing tonight will really bring back old memories and we might cry if it is too much,” Sibumbe said.
“We are excited and promise that this will be one of our best performances. I guess it’s our time to salute Ray.”
Birchwood hotel marketing manager, Jazzman Mahlakgane, said tonight’s performance is “a Stimela show honouring Phiri as its founding member”.
Mahlakgane said the idea was to show music lovers that Stimela still existed. He said a proper Ray Phiri Tribute Concert involving the family as well as Mabuse, was on the pipeline.
Meanwhile, vocalist Sam Ndlovu, who has been Phiri’s understudy for years, has taken over lead singer role.