Jerry Hansen, founder of Ghana's influential Ramblers International Dance Band, passed away in Accra Saturday, April 7th. He was 85. Besides leading the band and composing many of its hit songs, Hansen was a founding member and President of the Musicians Union of Ghana
The Ramblers, the last of Ghana's great "danceband highlife" orchestras, were founded in 1961 when Hansen left King Bruce's Black Beats. Their innovative sounds held them in good stead through the political upheavals of the 1970s and ínto the '80s when the band finally expired thanks to changing tastes and poor economic conditions.
Jerry Hansen was one of the last giants of the classic highlife sound and will be sorely missed. Remember him while listening to Ramblers International (Decca WAPS 334), an album from 1976:
Ramblers International - Akwanuma Hiani
Ramblers International - Dear Si Abotar
Ramblers International - Megye Wo
Ramblers International - Inemesti
Ramblers International - Maye Maye
Ramblers International - Mbre Ofiong
Ramblers International - Awusa Dzi Mi
Ramblers International - Esa Ni Otse Ohie
Ramblers International - Dodzi
Ramblers International - Ao Danye
Ramblers International - Highlife Medley
Download Ramblers International as a zipped file here.
