When the bloody civil war disrupted the social life of Owerri, John and his 3 elder brothers lay low to avoid forcefully conscription into the Biafran army.
At the end of the war, the Obikwes discovered that their late father had a big portion of land close to the University in Porthercourt. They went and sold the land.
The money was shared among the seniors but they refused to give to John saying he was too young to be trusted with a huge sum.
John became angry, packed his scanty belongings and relocated to Ghana. There he formed a highlife band which became very successful and he bought a house located at number 15 Barnyard Street off Yadi layout Accra Ghana. He changed his name to Eddie Quansa and married one of the most beautiful Ghanian girls named Meena Sarpong.
Eddie was so successful that he became one of the richest and most prominent men in Ghana. Apart from music, he was also engaged in other trades.
When his brothers heard of him, they sent emissaries asking him to return but he refused. His brothers then approached Raph Amarabem of the Peacocks band and begged him to compose a song with their brother which prompted the very popular song that sang "Eddie Quansa oo biao biao, izu ka mma na nneji oo, biao......."
When Eddie heard the song, he refused to return to Owerri but he always played copyright of the song with his band.
Till date, Eddie Quansa refused to return to Owerri.
Till date, Eddie Quansa refused to return to Owerri.
Some say he is dead and that his apparition is roaming the streets of Owerri at night playing guitar.
Some say he relocated to India.
Any time you hear that song, remember Eddie Quansa was John Obikwe, an Owerri born super guitarist.
Credit: Igbo History.
This Song is also what was used as theme song for Chief Zebrudaya TV Series
Credit: Igbo History.
This Song is also what was used as theme song for Chief Zebrudaya TV Series
...See me oh and i used to thik that the song was ''Edi bonsa kio kio....''
Stella i loooove this song
ReplyDeleteIt's ever green
Greedy wicked brothers, i am glad he made something wonderful of himself
Na wa o, which one we come believe now, his profile and other pages online doesn't say anything about Owerri or his real name being John Ibikwe. Eddie Quansah Highlife musician born and raised in Kumasi, Ghana. In 1970 he relocated to London, England where he worked as a session musician. In 1980 he moved to Sydney, Australia where he formed the group King Cobra (4) in 1981. Eddie Quansah never returned to Owerri because he never came from Owerri in the first place.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Only you and Anon 13:33 have discernment.
DeleteAll these "history" pages online are fond of rewriting history and creating #fakenews. Believe them at your own peril.
SMH, if you listen to the lyrics of the song very well you will understand that it's relatable to the story here. They wouldn't have used this lyrics if it were an ordinary Ghanaian friend that they collaborated with.
DeleteWow I love history....So this is the story behind the song....Chai I feel so much nostalgia....Theme song for the New Masquerade....Thanks for this post, Stella....
ReplyDeleteDaily Times interview of the only surviving member of Peacock Guitar International Band, 94 year old Okoro Oha Boniface Akagha aka Alika said in the interview that "We composed songs in Ghanaian language, Igbo, Efik and Hausa languages. Eddie Quansah is the name of one of our Ghanaian friends and we used it to sing."
ReplyDeleteInteresting
ReplyDeleteIs this the story behind Eddie Quansa?
ReplyDeleteEyah,very touching
Nice one👌
A mild version of Joseph and his brothers Bible story.
ReplyDeleteI smiled while reading this it brought back memories of new masquerade
ReplyDeleteIzu ka nma na nne ji is a big scam. Na that same nne ji go disappoint you
ReplyDeleteFan Emmanuel
Interpretation pls
DeleteLove from Sierra Leone ❤️❤️
Brotherly love, a family that stays together.
DeleteI don't know a better way to explain it
Interesting to read
ReplyDeleteWow! Thanks Stella. This story made me nostalgia in a good way.
ReplyDeleteInteresting
ReplyDeleteI Love his Music
Hello iya Boys
Edie Quansa biaoo, biaoo, izu ka nma Na Nne ji, biaoo biaoo
ReplyDeleteMeaning: Edie Quansa come come, secret is better kept by siblings, come ooo, come oo
Nice one
DeleteYes oo👍
DeleteWow!!! What a beautiful and emotional story. Thank you Stella 🧡
ReplyDeleteWow!
ReplyDeleteInteresting story and l love the song.