Ted Kalanda, the visionary founder of the renowned Kenyan band Them Mushrooms, died at 72.
His death was confirmed by his younger brother, John Katana, who revealed that Kalanda passed away at their family home in Kaloleni, Kilifi County after a prolonged struggle with cancer since 2018.
Kalanda founded the band in 1969 under the name Avenida Success, which was later rebranded to Them Mushrooms in 1972.
The ‘Jambo Bwana’ hitmaker led the six-man group, which featured musicians Billy Sarro, George Zirro, John Katana, Pius Plato Chitianda “Jibaba,” and Pritt Nyale.
The band, famed for its unique fusion of Rhumba, Taarab, Sega, and Benga music, produced a string of timeless songs including, ‘Si Nguo’, ‘Embe Dodo,’ ‘Wazee Wakatike,’ ‘Bango,’ ‘Kama Zamani’, ‘Kolo Kolola’, and ‘Itawezekanaje.’
