Prominent Lagos-based highlife musician, Fatai Rolling Dollar is dead.
The musician, aged 87, died this morning but the actual cause of his death was still sketchy as at the time of filing this report.
The Wan Kere Si Numba Wa crooner had slumped some days back and was said to be recovering.
Fatai Rolling Dollar became a household name in the 1960s but his fortunes unfortunately dipped until the year 2000, when former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu provided him a house and enough funds to bounce back.
However, Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, has expressed sadness over the passage of highlife icon, Fatai Olayiwola Olagunju, better known as Fatai Rolling Dollar, death, saying,” the loss of the musical innovator would reverberate around the musical world and beyond.”
In a condolence letter to Mrs. Funmilayo Olagunju, the widow of the late musician, Governor Fashola said he was a first rate guitarist under whose tutelage several other musical legends learnt to play the instrument.
“Your husband was a musical innovator who made a great contribution to the profile of Nigerian Highlife music on the global stage,” he said.
According to the Governor, Rolling Dollar is assured of his place amongst the pantheon of Nigerian musical greats with hits like ‘Won Kere si Number Wa’ and ‘Saworo’ enduring in the memory of generations to come.
“Growing up in the 1960s and 1970s, it was impossible to escape the presence of this iconic genius across Lagos. I am pleased and gratified that in the latter part of his life Lagos State was able to reacquaint itself once again with his singular talents,” he said.
While praying for the peaceful repose of the soul of the departed musician, Governor Fashola urged the family to find succour and comfort in the love of the legion of fans that admired your Fatai Rolling Dollar’s work.
Since then, he has produced songs in collaboration with young musicians and was part of those who formed the Faaji Agba group to revive highlife music in the country.
