The bandleader and original member of the renowned Ghanaian Afro-rock group Osibisa, Francis Teddy Osei, passed away in London’s Apple Tree Care Home after a five-year illness.On January 14, Osibisa posted a message on their Facebook page confirming his passing.
The passing of their beloved friend and client Francis “Teddy” Osei today has left the members of Osibisa and the band’s management extremely heartbroken. He was a gifted and driven individual, musician, and mentor to many. He is best known worldwide as the creator and leader of Osibisa, the groundbreaking Afro-rock group.
Teddy, a gifted saxophonist, drummer, and singer, found fulfillment and success with his bands, especially Osibisa. He was a significant cultural and musical voice, and while he will be lost, he will always be remembered.The best band in Ghana, Osibisa, has guaranteed that a comprehensive band statement will be released soon.
Osei was eighty-eight.”I would like to share my feelings about Teddy Osei with such a sad heart,” said Robert Bailey, the band’s founder. Looking back, Teddy was the driving force and motivation behind Osibisa’s success. During our lengthy acquaintance, Teddy was always kind and patient with me. Despite his difficult physical state, he greeted me with a huge smile even a week before he passed away. I will always be appreciative of his advice and assistance throughout the years, and I will treasure these memories forever.
John Katana, the leader of the Them Mushrooms band, honored Osei on his Facebook page by writing: “Rest in eternal peace, legend Teddy Osei.” Them Mushrooms were really inspired by you.
Teddy Osei has been hailed by Bessa Simons, President of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), as a musical legend who was instrumental in establishing and advancing Ghanaian music internationally.After having a stroke in 2010, Osei had to reduce his touring but continued to work in the studio.Osei was born on December 1, 1937, in Kumasi, Ghana.
He relocated to London in 1962 after receiving a scholarship to study music from the Ghanaian government.He founded Cat’s Paw in 1964, which was the precursor to Osibisa and combined rock, soul, and highlife. He convinced Mac Tontoh and Sol Amarfio to join him in London in 1969 because he felt the lineup needed more talented African musicians, and Osibisa was born.
Founded in the 1970s by three Ghanaian and three Caribbean musicians, Osibisa was instrumental in bringing African music to the attention of audiences in Europe and North America.With a throbbing and lively sound that was to devour the weary post-sixties rock landscape, Osibisa burst onto the music scene in 1971.Osibisa means “crisscross rhythms that explode with happiness” in Ghanaian.
Their contemporaries’ music started to reflect the band’s percussion influence.Percussive breaks and Osibisa polyrhythms were to play a key role in the disco explosion of the late 1970s.
“Osibisa” (Decca, 1971), “Woyaya” (Line, 1971), “Heads” (Decca, 1972), “Best of Osibisa” (1973), “Happy Children” (One Way, 1973), “Black Magic Night: Live at the Royal Festival Hall” (Bronze, 1977), “Mystic Energy” (Edsel, 1980), “Criss Cross Rhythms” (Sound Solutions, 1992), and “Osee Yee” (2010) are a few of their albums.A double CD containing 18 restored tracks from Osibisa’s 1974 and 1975 albums, taken from Warner Brothers’ vaults, was published in November of last year by the UK label Cherry Records.