Alemayehu Eshete Andarge (Amharic: ዓለማየሁ እሸቴ አንዳርጌ; June 1941 – 2 September 2021) was an Ethiopian singer, widely known as the "Abyssinian Elvis" for his dynamic performances and his fusion of traditional Ethiopian music with Western rock and roll influences.[2] He emerged in the 1960s and became a prominent figure in the Ethio-jazz movement, alongside musicians such as Mulatu Astatke. Eshete's music blended Ethiopian rhythms with elements of funk, soul, and jazz, and his hit songs include Temar Lije and Addis Ababa Bete. His international recognition grew following the release of the Éthiopiques series, which featured many of his early recordings. Eshete continued to perform until his death in 2021, leaving a lasting legacy in Ethiopian and world music. His contributions were widely recognized both in Ethiopia and internationally.
Alemayehu Eshete ዓለማየሁ እሸቴ | |
|---|---|
 Alemayehu in 2010 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | June 1941 Addis Ababa,[1] Occupied Enemy Territory Administration (now Ethiopia) |
| Died | 2 September 2021 (aged 80) Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
| Genres | |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Years active | 1960s–2021 |
| Labels | Buda Musique |
Life and career
editEarly life
editAlemayehu Eshete was born in June 1941 in Addis Ababa, where his father worked as a taxi driver.[2] When Alemayehu was two months old, his mother took him to Dessie, where they stayed until he was three. His father brought him back to Addis Ababa to ensure he received an education. Alemayehu enrolled at the Christian Training Institute near Yohannes Church, where his musical talent was first recognized while singing hymns.[3] As a young boy, he idolized Elvis Presley, mimicking his style and performing songs like Jailhouse Rock (song) for his friends.[2]
Career
editAlemayehu’s talent was recognized by Colonel Retta Demeqe, who invited him to perform with Addis Ababa's Police Orchestra. In 1961, he had his first hit, "Seul," and later founded the Alem-Girma Band with Girma Bèyènè.[4] Throughout his career, Alemayehu became known for blending American rock with traditional Ethiopian music, particularly during the late 1960s' "swinging Addis" era.[2] His fame expanded globally after the release of the Éthiopiques series: Volume 9 is entirely devoted to his early recordings,[5] while Volume 22 covers his work between 1972 and 1974. Other songs appear in Volumes 3, 8, 10, and 13. In 2008, he toured the United States with Mahmoud Ahmed, performing with Boston's Either/Orchestra.
Death
editAlemayehu Eshete died at midnight on 2 September 2021 in a hospital in Addis Ababa. He had been suffering from heart disease in the years leading up to his death, and had undergone surgery for blocked arteries five years prior. In his final days, he spent time with friends but experienced discomfort before being admitted to the hospital. He was buried on 7 September 2021 at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Addis Ababa. A large farewell ceremony took place at Meskel Square, attended by tens of thousands of people, where his iconic songs Temar Lije and Addis Ababa Bete were played in tribute. Alemayehu is survived by seven children and six grandchildren. [2][6][7]
Discography
edit| Album list |
|---|
Addis Ababa
|
| Compilation albums |
|---|
Ethiopiques, Vol. 9
|
The Rough Guide to the Music of Ethiopia
|
Ethiopiques, Vol. 22 (1972–1974)
|
The Rough Guide To Psychedelic Africa
|
The Rough Guide to the Music of Ethiopia
|
References
edit- ^ "Alèmayèhu Eshèté obituary". the Guardian. 10 September 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
- ^ a b c d e Vadukul, Alex (2 October 2021). "Alemayehu Eshete, Singer Known as the 'Abyssinian Elvis,' Dies at 80". The New York Times. p. A20. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
- ^ Sheger FM 102.1 Radio (27 August 2022). Yechewata Engida - Alemayehu Eshete Interview With Meaza Birru ተወዳጁ ድምፃዊ ዓለማየሁ እሸቴ. Retrieved 29 September 2024 – via YouTube.
{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Richards, Chris (12 October 2016). "Girma Beyene, a titan of Ethiopian jazz, returns to Washington". The Washington Post. Washington, D.C. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
- ^ ETHIOPIQUES VOLUME 09 on Buda Musique Archived 7 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Retrieved 10 September 2012.
- ^ Admin (3 September 2021). "Alemayehu Eshete, "Ethiopian Elvis Presley", reportedly died". Borkena Ethiopian News. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
- ^ Admin (8 September 2021). "Alemayehu Eshete laid to rest at Kiddist Selassie Menbere Tsebaot". Borkena Ethiopian News. Retrieved 8 September 2021.