Senior Eddie Donkor was born on 6th March 1942 at Akropong-Akwapim, in the Eastern Region of Ghana.
On that same day elsewhere in the world, great artistic icons such as Charles Tolliver (the Great Trumpeter on Jackie McLean’s Blue Note albums and co-founder of Strata-East Records), Paco Cepero (Spanish Flamenco artist who worked as an accompanist as well as a solo artist and released the albums Corazón y Bordón and De Pura Cepa), Ben Murphy (the famous TV Actor who played the role of Kid Curry on Alias Smith and Jones alongside Pete Duel) among others made their debut into this theatre of life too.
The “King of Rhythm Power” was baptized in Akropong Presbyterian Church with the name Edward Kofi Donkor.
He started his elementary school at Akropong Presbyterian; and in no time began to exhibit his artistic prowess at school.
In his youth, Senior Eddie Donkor played with some few avant-garde highlife bands; but later joined a group of young and talented musical artists including the then emerging musical phenomenon, Patrick Ampadu (later Nana Kwame Ampadu) and others to form the African Brothers Band, which was inaugurated at the Park Cinema in Accra in 1963.
The original members of the African Brothers Band were:
Snr. Eddie Donkor (Vocals and Guitar-Rhythms), Patrick Ampadu aka Paa-Still (vocals), Rover Kofi Amoh, Maxwell Teacher Boateng (Vocals), A.Koo Ofori (Guitar and Vocals), Kwame Anim, Nana Nyarko, Yaw Asante and Yaw Owusu (According to information contained in an Interview with Allotey Bruce-Konuah 2016).
The group, with their worn-out musical instruments was a delight to watch when they performed.
They composed a lot of songs in no time but were not able get producer.
With a characteristic that was common of the wannabe-bandsmen of yore in Ghana, the African Brothers Band refused to have their sprits broken and continued to play at funerals and Hausa (Moslem) weddings called “suuna”.
Later around 1964, Joe Dee, an electrician and Oppong Kyekyeku joined the group as Bass player and tenor singer respectively.
After some time, the group had their musical breakthrough, and Eddie Donkor, the leading vocalist of the band who has earned his title as the “Senior” of all Musicians, bowed out.
Appropriating the title “senior” to his name, Senior Eddie Donkor formed Eddie Donkor & The Internationals, Senior Eddie Donkor International Band and later the SUPER SENIOR EDDIE DONKOR & MENOM KOOKO BOYS.
From there, Eddie Donkor released serious of funny, hard-hitting and proverbial burger highlife songs.
In 1972, he released his “King Of Rhythm Power “ (LP, Album) recorded with Gapophone Records. Series of singles tracks were released afterwards.
He also released Yebu DiDi (LP) in 1990 recorded with Agya Paye Records, as well as Asiko Darling (LP) and Menom Kooko (LP), which were both recorded with Research Records.
In 2003, G-Music Productions reissued Senior Eddie Donkor`s N.C.N.C. No Contribution No Chop (CD, Comp).
Some of the other notable tracks of Senior Eddie Donkor are Good Chef [Face the Wall], Kwaku Anase, Ka Na Wu, Jeje Kule, Emmaabeku Mmarima, No Jealous, Osode, Dwene Wo Ho et al.
Senior Eddie Donkor also collaborated with Janet Osei in her classic album.
Eddie was on the Bass (which he played as a guest on other musicians’ albums around the same time), with Eric Agyeman playing the lead guitar and Ernest Honey on organ/synths.
Eddie Donkor also mentored many musicians who became instant success.
The Ghanaian and the Akuapem Highlife guitarist/musical maestro died in 1995.
Senior day born name was Kwasi and not Kofi, this he was called Kwasi Donkor and not Kofi Donkor
Okay. Thanks
Thanks