Who are the Oriental Brothers Int’l Band?
The Oriental Brothers Int’l Band was a renowned Nigerian highlife music group that dominated the music industry from the 1970s to the 2000s. The music group was a boy band, popularly known for their unique blend of traditional Igbo music and highlife music. They released many songs and albums throughout their career. Some of the Oriental Brothers’ hit songs include “Origbu Onye Ozo” (1977), “Ihe Eme Uwa Adimma” (1977), “Uwa Atu Alamujo” (1990), “Nwa Ada Di Mma” (1996), and “Oriental Special” (2011).
When was the Oriental Brothers Int’l Band formed?
The Oriental Brothers International Band was formed in the 1970s after the Nigerian-Biafran war. They are part of the Igbo music legends and Nigerian music pioneers. According to reports, the band was originally formed by three brothers, popularly known as the Opara brothers. They include Godwin “Kabaka” Opara, Ferdinand “Dan Satch” Chukwuemeka Opara, and Christogonous “Dr. Sir Warrior” Ezebuiro Obinna. Other founding members of the legendary highlife group include Livinus “Aquila” Alaribe and Fred “Ichita” Ahumaraeze.
However, reports have it that Nathaniel Ejiogu was also one of the founding members of the Oriental Brothers International Band. According to posts and comments on social media, Nathaniel passed away in August 1972, shortly before the band’s success.
Who is the founder of the Oriental Brothers?
According to reports, Ferdinand “Dan Satch” Chukwuemeka Opara is the founder of the Oriental Brothers Intl’ Band. In an interview with “The Niche” in 2015, Dan Satch confirmed himself as the founder of the popular highlife band.
In his words:
I am Chief Ferdinand Dan Satch Chukwuemeka Opara, the founder of the Oriental Brothers International Band. I founded the band with my four other brothers.
How many members make up the Oriental Brothers Intl’ Band?
The original members of the Oriental Brothers International Band include:
- Ferdinand “Dan Satch” Chukwuemeka Opara (Founder, lead and bass guitarist)
- Godwin “Kabaka” Opara (Band leader and rhythm guitarist)
- Christogonous “Dr Sir Warrior” Ezebuiro Obinna (Lead Vocalist)
- Livinus “Aquila” Alaribe (Conga Player)
- Fred “Ichita” Ahumaraeze (Drummer)
How the Oriental Brothers started their career
The Oriental Brothers started their career in the 1970s and were the first Nigerian highlife boy band after the Nigerian Civil War. Before the formation of the Oriental Brothers, a band called Eastern Mysteries was established by a musician named Obiako. Dan Satch’s brother, John Ikediala, was the group’s vocalist. However, Ikediala soon faced issues with Eastern Mysteries and received life threats, prompting him and Dan Satch to form their band.
With the help of Oliver Biadou, who was their sponsor then, Dan Satch and John purchased instruments and scouted musicians. The newly formed band performed for the first time at Biadou’s hotel in Enugu between 1971 and 1972. During this time, the brothers had not named their band. They were just a group of talented individuals making music.
Despite their efforts, the band faced countless hardships, leading to numerous setbacks. They left Enugu for Owerri, but some of their instrumentalists departed. The band later returned to Enugu where Kabaka and Dr. Sir Warrior joined. They continued to perform in various locations, including Kano and Lagos. Fortunately, they secured a recording contract with Afrodisia, a European music record label. However, the band continued to face more challenges and rejections when Ikediala left to pursue other opportunities. They faced many rejections from record labels, including EMI and Philips, who stated their music was not good enough.
Later on, the band approached Decca West Africa recording company, where they encountered opposition from a Yoruba staff member. Eventually, Victor Nwogwugwu, the receptionist at Afrodisia (Decca), intervened and facilitated their recording. It was after their recording that Dan Satch named the band “The Oriental Brothers” naming it after him and his brothers (Kabaka and Dr. Sir Warrior).
What happened to the Oriental Brothers?
The Oriental Brothers Intl’ Band experienced several splits and lineup changes throughout their career. The band’s first split occurred in 1977 after Kabaka left to start his band following a disagreement among the members. Aloysius Anyanwu, a former guitarist and founding member of the Ikenga Super Stars band, later replaced him. Later, Ichita and Aquila left the band to form another group called “The Great Oriental Band.”
In 1978, Aloysius left the group to form his band named “Aloy Anyanwu and his State Brothers Band,” leaving Dan Satch and Dr. Sir Warrior as the remaining members of the group. Dan Satch and Dr. Sir Warrior recruited freelance musicians around Owerri and some migrant musicians from Ghana to relaunch the band. However, between 1978 and 1980, the duo parted ways after a dispute over the future shape of the band.
After Ichita passed away in the early 1980s, Aquila reunited with Dan Satch, and they recruited Ishmael as the new vocalist. In 1987 and again in 1996, Kabaka and Dr. Sir Warrior teamed up with Dan Satch and Aquila to revive the original band’s magic. Sadly, Sir Warrior died in 1999. Twenty-five years later (in 2024), Kabaka also passed away, leaving behind only two of the founding members of the Oriental Brothers (Dan Satch and Aquila).
How many Oriental Brothers are still alive?
Unfortunately, over the years, the legendary highlife group has lost some of its original members. They include Christogonus “Dr. Sir Warrior” Ezebuiro Obinna, Godwin “Kabaka” Opara, and Fred “Ichita” Ahumaraeze. Dr. Sir Warrior passed away on June 2, 1999, after a brief illness, while Kabaka passed away on March 21, 2024. The exact year of Ichita’s passing is currently unknown.
Meanwhile, Dan Satch and Aquila are the only two original members of the Oriental Brothers Int’l Band who are still alive. Despite the loss of their bandmates, the band’s songs have remained relevant to date.
