Eddie Donkor

Edward Kofi Donkor (1942–1995) was a Ghanaian highlife musician. He was popularly referred to as Senior Eddie Donkor or Eddie Donkor Senior.

Eddie Donkor
Also known asSenior Eddie Donkor
Eddie Donkor Senior
King of Rhythm Power
Born(1942-03-06)6 March 1942
Akropong, Gold Coast
Died1995
GenresHighlife
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Guitar, vocals

Early life

Eddie Donkor was born at Akropong in the Eastern Region of the Gold Coast (now Ghana) on 6 March 1942. His basic education was at the Akropong Presbyterian School. He was keen on music from his youth.[1]

Music career

Eddie Donkor's group was the African Brothers Band which was inaugurated at the Park Cinema in Accra in 1963. The original members of the group were Eddie Donkor (vocals and rhythm guitar), Patrick Ampadu (Paa-Still), Rover Kofi Amoh, Maxwell Teacher Boateng, A. Koo Ofori, Kwame Anim, Nana Nyarko, Yaw Asante and Yaw Owusu. He later left this group to form his own group, Senior Eddie Donkor and The Asiko Internationals Band.[1] One of the successful founders from this group is Nana Kwame Ampadu (Patrick Ampadu) who also became a very successful highlife artist.[2]

He was one of the most established highlife music performers in Ghana and toured various countries including the United States. Eddie Donkor's live bands played at some of the prestigious venues in Ghana during the height of his fame. Similar to most live bands at the time, performances were often interspersed with comedy during interludes. Popular comedians like Bob Okala often toured with Senior Eddie Donkor.[3]

Most of his songs were sung in Twi. Some of them were sung in more than one language. "Corner Fast," "Maye Hot," and "New King, New Law" all feature more than one language in the song.[4]

Family

Donkor's daughter, Abena Nyarteh also went into music in the 1980s.[5]

Death

Eddie Donkor died on the 24th of April, 1995. He was buried at his hometown of Akropong.[1]

Discography

Singles
  • Ampokyekye[6]
  • Destiny[7]
  • D.K. Poison Mo[8]
  • Na Me Cause Am[7]
  • Woka Bi A Tie[9]

Albums and compilations

Eddie Donkor released a number of albums mainly with his group the Internationals.[10]

  • Asiko Darling (LP)
  • Asiko Guys (LP) – also featuring Major Baah on Odo Nsuo
  • Eye Banker (LP)
  • King Of Rhythm Power (LP) (1972) Gapophone Records[11]
  • Menom Kooko (LP)
  • N.C.N.C. No Contribution No Chop – CD compilation
  • Wo Nso Try (LP)[12]
  • Yebu Didi (1990) Agya Paye Records.[13]

References
  1. "Legends of Ghanaian Highlife Music: Senior Eddie Donkoh". african-research.com/. African Research Consult. 5 May 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  2. Koulibaly, Kouame (9 April 2020). "Nana Kwame Ampadu: The great storyteller of our time is 75". graphic.com.gh. Accra: Graphic Communications Group Ltd. Retrieved 30 July 2020. They included Sam Derchie, Teacher Boateng, Oppong Kyekyeku, Nanaba Amoako, Senior Eddie Donkor and Prince Osei Kofi. He said he felt proud to have mentored those guys and more.
  3. "Ghanaian Music". New York Times Magazine. 4 September 1987. p. 20. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  4. Oduro-Frimpong, Joseph (2009). "Glocalization Trends: The Case of Hiplife Music in Contemporary Ghana". International Journal of Communication. 3: 1092. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  5. Collins, John (June 2003). "GHANAIAN WOMEN ENTER INTO POPULAR ENTERTAINMENT". Humanities Review Journal. Humanities Research Forum, University of Ibadan and Obefemi Awolowo University, Nigeria. 3 (1): 1–10. ISSN 1596-0749. Important Akan recording artists who also began their careers in the seventies included Mumbea, Janet Osei and Awura Ama. They were followed in the eighties by Abena Nyarteh (daughter of the late Senior Eddie Donkor)
  6. "Eddie Donkor & The internationals – Ampokyekye – Gapophone – Ghana". youtube.com. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  7. "Snr. Eddie Donkor & Internationals. Na Me Cause. Ghana". youtube.com. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  8. "Snr Eddie Donkor & The Internationals – D. K. Poison mo (Ghana)". youtube.com. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  9. "Snr Eddie Donkor (The Rhythm king) & His Internationals – Woka bi a tie (Ghana)", youtube.com, retrieved 30 July 2020
  10. "Eddie Donkor". Discogs.com. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  11. "Eddie Donkor – King Of Rhythm Power". Discogs.com. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  12. "SENIOR EDDIE DONKOR & INT BAND OF GHANA LP wo nso try GHANA mp3 LISTEN". groovyrecord.ecrater.com. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  13. "Super Snr. Eddie Donkor* – Yebu Di – Di –". Discogs.com. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
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