BY HAFTU GEBREZGABIHER
Alemayehu Eshete, the most celebrated Ethiopian vocalist was born in Addis Ababa at Arat Kilo’s neighborhood in June 1942 to his father Eshete Andarge and his mother Belaynesh Yosef. Alemayehu then moved to Dessie when he was an infant. He grew up there until he turned three years old.
Alemayehu was later moved back to Addis Ababa to his father and attended schools at Lycee GebreMariam, Omar Sumter, Abyot Kiris and the Patriotic Schools.
Alemayehu Eshete had played a significant role in the development and modernization of Amharic music. Alemayehu was one of the few Ethiopian vocalists who has earned fame beyond Ethiopia as well. He is said to have been the most accomplished musician of all time.
In 1963, Colonel Reta Demeke, who was aware of Alemayehu’s musical potential at the school, invited him to join the Police Orchestra, where he began his music career.
Because of his gait or stature and his resemblance to the famous Elvis Presley, an American singer, he earned the nickname “Ethiopian Elvis”.
Alemayehu then was hired by the Ethiopian National Theatre, the Imperial Guard until he moved to the Police Department of Music and Theater. As a vocalist, he developed his musical career along with the then legends Hirut Bekele, Muluken Melese and others. At that time, his work “Who’s Great” was popular.
After serving in the police force for about five years, he moved to a privately owned band, according to his closest friends.
Alemayehu, best known for his lyrical song “Temar Lije (Learn My Son), and Addis Ababa Bete (Addis Ababa, My Home) was known for his ingenuity in capturing his audiences.
The Legend Alemayehu was one of the foremost Ethiopian musicians in terms of publishing a Shellac disc and buying a private car.
Sikesh Ataskign, (Laughing, don’t make me laugh), Endamora (Like an eagle), Man Yihon Tilik Sew (Who is the big man), Mishitu Demeke (The Evening got Bright), Yewoin Haregitu, Marign Biyeshalehu are some of the famous songs Alemayehu Eshete.
During his interview with the local media some years back, Alemayehu said that he had played more than 380 songs in Amharic. According to him, he had also played some music lyrics in English, Italian and Sudanese’s languages.
Solely, fifteen years before the Derg came to power, Alemayehu was able to produce 30 single music works, according to his biographies, and this forced him to leave the country, as did his colleagues. Alemayehu together with his veteran friend and veteran vocalist Girma Beyene established a band called Alem-Girma.
During his time in Europe and the United States, he was able to earn great fame. It was at this time that the great works of the Ethiopian vocalists including Alemayehu who came together begun to release their music products through the name “Ethiopics”.
Veteran artists were campaigning to recognize Alemayehu for his trans-generational works. However, this great musician passed away on the 2nd of September, 2021 night after he sustained short illness.
Government officials and famous personalities including Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, President Sahlework Zewde and deputy Mayor of Addis Adanech Abebie are expressing their condolences over the mainstream and social media platforms following his sudden death.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed expressed his condolences over the death of artist Alemayehu Eshete. “I am saddened to hear that Alemayehu Eshete, a role model for many Ethiopians, has just passed away. I know that he has been coordinating young and veteran musicians to produce contemporary music about Ethiopia. His works will live up to Ethiopia. He who works for Ethiopia will rest, not die,” the Prime Minister posted on his Facebook page.
The Ethiopian Herald September 4/2021
