Getachew Kassa Explained

Getachew Kassa
Native Name Lang:am
Birth Date:6 September 1944
Birth Place:Addis Ababa, British-occupied Ethiopia
Death Place:Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Years Active:1960s–2024

Getachew Kassa (Amharic: ጌታቸው ካሳ; 6 September 1944 – 21 February 2024) was an Ethiopian singer and percussionist. He was famous at the height of 1960s and 1970s after hiring to the country's famous clubs, the Sombrino and Axum Hall, which made him eligible to professional skills.

Early life

Getachew Kassa was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopian Empire on 6 September 1944.[1] He began singing at the age of six, despite being discouraged by his parents. During this stage, Getachew liked an Italian song named "Azemerina". He began pleasing his parents and changed his actual surname to "Kassa". Later, he occasionally started to sing for his friends and at home.[2]

Kassa’s musical voyage began in the bustling streets of Addis Ababa’s Mercato area. Despite facing familial resistance, his love for music was undeniable. From singing popular Italian songs to imitating iconic singers like Elvis Presley and Harry Belafonte, Kassa’s early experiences forged a path for his musical career. His determination led him to adopt his stage name, “Kassa,” inspired by a suggestion from a friend, marking the start of a legendary journey.[3]

Career

As a young man, he started playing with a band called Fetan Band – or Speed Band – at the Patrice Lumumba Bar in Wube Berha in the 1970s. Getachew established himself as one of the most accomplished[4] Ethiopian musicians of the period.[5] Notable songs include "Addis Ababa",[6] "Tiz Balegn Gize", "Yekereme Fikir", "Bertucan nesh lomi" "Bichayan Tekze" "Agere Tizitash". He played for various groups, such as the Sehebelles, the Venus Band, and later with the Walias Band. His songs "Tezata Slow" and "Fast" were featured on the album Ethiopiques, Vol. 10: Ethiopian Blues & Ballads.[7] The Sombrino club—was very popular in 1960s and 1970s— hired him to play accordion. He met with singer Alemayehu Eshete there. Then Getachew spent playing accordion for 15 birr at night. While there, Getachew managed to create many singles. Subsequently, he moved to another famous club called Axum Hall, playing for Venus Club and Taytu Hotel, thereafter quickly famed at the era.

Kassa moved to the United States in 1981, and lived for many years. In the mid-1980s, he toured through the states and drew attention to the fate of the people who had been struck by hunger in Ethiopia. After publishing his first CD in 1983, he returned back to Ethiopia and again went in the U.S. in 1991. His self-image as a "world citizen" brought him the status of an illegal immigrant. But it was not until the year 2012 that Ethiopia returned.

In 2000, Ethio-Sound released an album The Best of Getachew Kassa., a 12 track CD of his greatest works throughout his career. [8] Kassa was a part of the Stay Strong Project's Stay Strong Orchestra alongside Alemayehu Eshete[9] and a songwriter and singer.[10]

Death

Kassa died in Addis Ababa on 21 February 2024, at the age of 79 after battling a long illness. He was hospitalized at Yekatit 12 Hospital.[11] [12] A funeral was scheduled for the following day and his body was cremated at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Addis Ababa.[13] [14]

Discography

Singles and EPs!Title!Year!Label
'Bichayene Tekezie"1970Amha Records
"Tizita"1972Amha Records
"Yene Alem"/'Wededkuh Maletish Layker"1974Philips Records
'Birtukan Wey Lomi"/"Gofere Hugnilign"1975Philips Records
"Endihim Endihim"1976Kaifa Records
Compilations !Title!Year!Label
The Best Of2000Ethio-Sound

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ጌታቸው ካሣ discography – RYM/Sonemic. 2021-12-03. Rate Your Music. en.
  2. Web site: Teweldebirhan. Seble. 6 August 2018. Getachew Kassa. 2021-12-03. Ethio Biography. en-US.
  3. https://addisinsight.net/farewell-to-a-giant-remembering-getachew-kassa-ethiopias-musical-treasure/
  4. Web site: Amha Eshete: Pioneer of Ethiopia's music industry. 20 June 2016.
  5. Web site: Getachew. Getachew Kassa and his Tezetas. The Ethiopia Observer. 20 December 2016.
  6. Web site: Addis Abeba – Getachew Kassa. 5 February 2009.
  7. Web site: Ethiopiques, Vol. 10: Tezeta – Ethiopian Blues & Ballads – Various Artists – Songs, Reviews, Credits – AllMusic. AllMusic.
  8. Web site: Getachew Kassa – The Best Of. Discogs.
  9. Web site: STAY STRONG UNTIL: MEILENSTEINE. www.staystrong.listros.de.
  10. Web site: STAY STRONG UNTIL: TEAM. www.staystrong.listros.de.
  11. Web site: Legendary singer Getachew Kassa dies aged 80 – Ethiopian Press Agency . 2024-03-12 . en-US.
  12. News: 2024 . Ethiopia’s Iconic Singer, Getachew Kassa, Dies at 80 .
  13. News: እውቁ ድምፃዊ ጌታቸው ካሳ አረፈ . 23 February 2024 . Mereja . 21 February 2024.
  14. Web site: Fortune . (Addis) . Getachew Kassa, the Maestro Who Sang Ethiopias Soul, Dies Aged 85 . 2024-03-12 . en-US.