King Sunny Ade will celebrate his 80th birthday with veteran musicians including Evangelist Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi, Kollington Ayinla and Abass Akande Obesere in Lagos on September 20. The event will take place at Platinum Lounge Social Club, Abule Egba.
Tagged “Celebrating KSA @ 80,” the programme will also feature Wale Thompson, Mega 99, Baba Ajasco and Ajobiewe. Sunny Ade’s son, Biodun Adeniyi Adegeye, popularly known as PSA1, organised the gathering.
Obey and Sunny Ade have maintained a long friendship that has featured several milestone celebrations. City People reported that Sunny Ade attended Obey’s 80th birthday in 2022, while Obey travelled to Ondo for three days when Sunny Ade marked his 70th birthday in 2016.
Both musicians built their careers during the expansion of modern juju music in Nigeria. Sunny Ade formed his band in 1966, while Obey established himself among the leading juju artistes of the same generation.
Sunny Ade took his music abroad after signing with Island Records in 1982. The deal produced albums including “Juju Music” and “Synchro System,” with the latter earning a Grammy nomination.
The veteran musician also influenced younger juju performers through his band, African Beats. His use of electric instruments, percussion and extended stage performances became associated with his style of juju music.
Meanwhile, musicians in Kwara State have announced another tribute ahead of his birthday. The Association of Jùjú Musicians of Nigeria in Kwara will hold an all-night event on September 21 at 02 Arena, Starwood Hotel, Ilorin, according to Orient Actual Magazine.
Association governor Akobi Shiloh said the musicians would finance the Ilorin event themselves. “If Baba King Sunny Adé didn’t pave the way, none of us would be able to stand and sing Jùjú music today,” he told Orient Actual Magazine.
Sunny Ade was born Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye on September 22, 1946. He will turn 80 on September 22, 2026.
The Lagos celebration will precede his birthday by two days, bringing Obey, Kollington Ayinla, Obesere and other musicians together for the September 20 programme.
