There are many among us, who may not know that the greatest Highlife Guitarist of all time is a guy called Bob Allen. Some may assume it's some obscure Irishman, with a penchant for Nigerian music- no sir. I am referring to a true son of Owerri by the name of Raphael Amarabem- Bob Allen being his nickname.
His CV is briefly as follows:
a. Learnt his trade as a Guitarist in his teens in Accra, Ghana, whilst living with his itinerant trader Uncle in the early 50's.
b. Returned to Nigeria in 1961 and joined the fledgling band (The Mayors) of a talented trumpeter Cardinal Rex Lawson, playing on all of Rex Lawson's greatest hits and famously providing the backing vocals on the hit Jolly Papa- sung in Ga (a Ghanaian language);
c. Was separated from Rex Lawson during the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970) and rejoined the re-formed band- The Rivers Men and recorded Rex Lawson's last hit album which featured the hit "Yellow Sisi" and the 6/8 remix of "Love Mu Adure".d. On Rex Lawson's death, he became one of the most highly sought-after Highlife Session Guitarists in Nigeria- one of his best performances being the sublime track "Baby Pay my Money" by Dan Satch and the Atomic 8 of Aba- featuring the vocals of Mohammed Ahidjo- later lead vocalist of the Funkees.
Also his incredible Guitar intro in the two evergreen singles of his co-traveller in Rex Lawson's band- Prince David Bull and his Professional Seagulls- "Atabla Woman" and "Baby Wayo" (featuring the iconic vocals of Boma- Rex Lawson's Tenor Saxophonist) On the Track Atabla Woman, Boma can be heard asking the rhetorical question "You go buy Atabla, dem say he too cost, Bob Allen abeg come o?" Obviously referring to Amarabem.
e. Raphael Amarabem was later to form his own band upon return to his native Owerri - one of the greatest Highlife Bands ever to emerge from Nigeria- The Peacocks International Guitar Band of Owerri, featuring another fellow traveller from his Rex Lawson days- Alika and most importantly on vocals, the sonorous and powerful voice of the great Dan Orji. Their debut album, "Smash Hits" released immediately after the Civil War in 1970, featured the monster hit "Sambola Mama". Followed by a list of hit albums such as "Ejiogu".
f. The Peacocks greatest album has to be "Abiriwa" which featured the monster track "Eddie Quansah" which gained prominence all over Africa and in particular Nigeria, based on the the track being used for the hugely popular Nigerian TV comedy programme "Masquerade". The album featured several other hits, which cemented this band in the annals of African musical history.
Bob Allen was last seen playing as part of a Rex Lawson reunion concert- featuring former members of the band in 2001 as part of the Elders Forum Concert series. Sadly he lost his vision a few years back and lived in virtual destitution before his tragic death- inspite of his musical legacy.
Just to underscore his importance, i shall be embedding a series of tracks in video format on this page, simply to educate those who do not know or may indeed have forgotten, what a great man Bob Allen was.
