Founder of the band Them Mushrooms Ted Kalanda dies at 72

Ted Kalanda, the founder of the famous Kenyan band Them Mushrooms, has died. He was 72 years old.

John Katana, Kalanda’s younger brother, confirmed that he had died. He said that he had died at his home in the country in Kaloleni, Kilifi County, after a long fight with cancer.

Kalanda had been fighting the sickness that kills since 2018.

Katana told the Daily Nation, “It’s been a long, painful journey for our older brother. His music was an inspiration to all of us.”

Kalanda had a lot of famous hits in Kenya, like “Jambo Bwana,” which became famous all over the world.

Kalanda started the band in 1969 under the name Avenida Success. In 1972, he changed the name to Them Mushrooms because he was very good at writing letters and playing the saxophone.

The six-man popular group made their own unique mix of Rhumba, Taarab, and Sega/Benga folk music. They wrote hit songs like “Embe Dodo,” “Wazee Wakatike,” “Bango,” and “Itawezekanaje.”

The team was led by Kalanda and had Billy Sarro, George Zirro, John Katana, Pius Plato Chitianda “Jibaba,” and Pritt Nyale on it.

The band is still going strong, with Kalanda’s younger brother Katana in charge.