10/07/2015
He was born in Lagos, began performing around 1935, and first recorded on the HMV label in 1937. His band started with four members (banjo ukulele, shekere, juju, vocals), but by 1949 had grown to seven members, and by 1959 to eight (electric guitar, shekere, juju, two varieties of conga (akuba and ogido), gangan, and two supporting vocalists). He is thought to have been the first juju musician to use an amplified guitar, in 1949, after switching to the guitar from the banjo ukulele. Bakare's innovations established the mainstream style of juju music in Nigeria after World War II. He tried to retain the same personnel within his bands, used his own material rather than that from other bands, and tried to avoid any dilution of the traditional features of his music, believing that musical continuity would enhance its quality.
His many records include
1968 LP Live the Highlife, (Melodisc MLPAS 12-140)
Tribute to the late J.K. Randle
Eko Akete (Lagos Akete)
Adura Fun Awon Aboyun (Prayer for the Pregnant Women)
Ibikunle Alakija /Iwalewa (Your Manner is Your Beauty)
Ore Otito O Si(There's no true friend)
Mo b'eru Aiye (I fear the humanity)
Ile Aiye Ile Asan (Life is vanity upon vanity)
Agboola Odunekan
Olabisi Arobieke
Akambi Balogun
MLP 12-134 Great African Highlife Music Vol 2 Various Artists -includes Ayinde Bakare – Iwa Lewa/ Adura Fun Awon Aboyun / Se Botimo / The Late J.K. Randle
Singles Melodisc 1406 The Late J.K. Randle/Ibikunle Alakija
