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Getachew Kassa (Amharic: ጌታቸው ካሳ; 6 September 1944 – 21 February 2024) was an Ethiopian singer and percussionist. He was famous at the height of 1960s and 1970s after hiring to the country's famous clubs, the Sombrino and Axum Hall, which made him eligible to professional skills.
Getachew Kassa ጌታቸው ካሳ | |
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| Background information | |
| Born | 6 September 1944 Addis Ababa, British-occupied Ethiopia |
| Died | 21 February 2024 (aged 79) Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
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| Years active | 1960s–2024 |
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Early life
editGetachew Kassa was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopian Empire on 6 September 1944.[1] He began singing at the age of six, despite being discouraged by his parents. During this stage, Getachew liked an Italian song named "Azemerina". He began pleasing his parents and changed his actual surname to "Kassa". Later, he occasionally started to sing for his friends and at home.[2]
Kassa’s musical voyage began in the bustling streets of Addis Ababa’s Mercato area. Despite facing familial resistance, his love for music was undeniable. From singing popular Italian songs to imitating iconic singers like Elvis Presley and Harry Belafonte, Kassa’s early experiences forged a path for his musical career. His determination led him to adopt his stage name, “Kassa,” inspired by a suggestion from a friend, marking the start of a legendary journey.[3]
Career
editAs a young man, he started playing with a band called Fetan Band – or Speed Band – at the Patrice Lumumba Bar in Wube Berha in the 1970s. Getachew established himself as one of the most accomplished[4] Ethiopian musicians of the period.[5] Notable songs include "Addis Ababa",[6] "Tiz Balegn Gize", "Yekereme Fikir", "Bertucan nesh lomi" "Bichayan Tekze" "Agere Tizitash". He played for various groups, such as the Sehebelles, the Venus Band, and later with the Walias Band. His songs "Tezata Slow" and "Fast" were featured on the album Ethiopiques, Vol. 10: Ethiopian Blues & Ballads.[7] The Sombrino club—was very popular in 1960s and 1970s— hired him to play accordion. He met with singer Alemayehu Eshete there. Then Getachew spent playing accordion for 15 birr at night. While there, Getachew managed to create many singles. Subsequently, he moved to another famous club called Axum Hall, playing for Venus Club and Taytu Hotel, thereafter quickly famed at the era.[2]
Kassa moved to the United States in 1981,[2] and lived for many years. In the mid-1980s, he toured through the states and drew attention to the fate of the people who had been struck by hunger in Ethiopia. After publishing his first CD in 1983, he returned back to Ethiopia and again went in the U.S. in 1991. His self-image as a "world citizen" brought him the status of an illegal immigrant. But it was not until the year 2012 that Ethiopia returned.
In 2000, Ethio-Sound released an album The Best of Getachew Kassa., a 12 track CD of his greatest works throughout his career. [8] Kassa was a part of the Stay Strong Project's Stay Strong Orchestra alongside Alemayehu Eshete[9] and a songwriter and singer.[10]
Death
editKassa died in Addis Ababa on 21 February 2024, at the age of 79 after battling a long illness. He was hospitalized at Yekatit 12 Hospital.[11][12] A funeral was scheduled for the following day and his body was cremated at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Addis Ababa.[13][14]
Discography
edit| Title | Year | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 'Bichayene Tekezie" | 1970 | Amha Records |
| "Tizita" | 1972 | Amha Records |
| "Yene Alem"/'Wededkuh Maletish Layker" | 1974 | Philips Records |
| 'Birtukan Wey Lomi"/"Gofere Hugnilign" | 1975 | Philips Records |
| "Endihim Endihim" | 1976 | Kaifa Records |
| Title | Year | Label |
|---|---|---|
| The Best Of | 2000 | Ethio-Sound |
References
edit- ^ "ጌታቸው ካሣ discography – RYM/Sonemic". Rate Your Music. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
- ^ a b c Teweldebirhan, Seble (6 August 2018). "Getachew Kassa". Ethio Biography. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
- ^ "Farewell to a Giant: Remembering Getachew Kassa, Ethiopia's Musical Treasure". 21 February 2024.
- ^ "Amha Eshete: Pioneer of Ethiopia's music industry". 20 June 2016.
- ^ Getachew (19 December 2016). "Getachew Kassa and his Tezetas". The Ethiopia Observer. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
- ^ "Addis Abeba – Getachew Kassa". 5 February 2009.
- ^ "Ethiopiques, Vol. 10: Tezeta – Ethiopian Blues & Ballads – Various Artists – Songs, Reviews, Credits – AllMusic". AllMusic.
- ^ "Getachew Kassa – The Best Of". Discogs.
- ^ "STAY STRONG UNTIL: MEILENSTEINE". www.staystrong.listros.de.
- ^ "STAY STRONG UNTIL: TEAM". www.staystrong.listros.de.
- ^ "Legendary singer Getachew Kassa dies aged 80 – Ethiopian Press Agency". Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ "Ethiopia's Iconic Singer, Getachew Kassa, Dies at 80". 2024.
- ^ "እውቁ ድምፃዊ ጌታቸው ካሳ አረፈ". Mereja. 21 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
- ^ Fortune, (Addis). "Getachew Kassa, the Maestro Who Sang Ethiopias Soul, Dies Aged 85". Retrieved 12 March 2024.
External Links
edit- Getachew Kassa discography at Discogs