Stimela

Considered by many to be the greatest South African band of all time, Stimela was formed by guitarist Ray ‘Chikapa’ Phiri, Isaac Mtshali, Lloyd Lelosa and Jabu Sibumbe. All had initially been in the Cannibals, the backing band for popular '70s soul star Jacob ´Mpharanyana´ Radebe, who passed away in 1978. They changed their name to Stimela (steam train) after finding themselves stranded in Maputo, Mozambique, eventually returning by train.

Numerous line-up changes followed, with musicians such as Charlie Ndlovu, Nana 'Coyote' Motijoane, Thapelo Khomo and Ntokozo Zungu also playing a major part in the band over the years, as well as many others.

During the 1980s, 'the People’s Band' released big-selling albums still regarded as classics. These include 'Fire, Passion and Ecstasy' (1982), 'Shadows, Fear and Pain' (1985) and 'Trouble In the Land of Plenty' (1989). Phiri and others also featured on Paul Simon's Grammy-winning Graceland album. The band’s sound drew on influences range from traditional African music to Afrobeat, funk and jazz, complemented by Phiri's sophisticated lyrics that often confronted apartheid repression. The band split in the early '90s, reemerging occasionally to record.

Phiri died on 12 July 2017, after losing his battle with lung cancer.