By Shepherd Mutamba

HARARE –Since their last performances together as Tuku’s backing girls in the Black Spirits over 20 years ago Tuku has brought back the legendary Golden Girls.

The return of the Golden Girls was meant to be a surprise at Tuku’s weekend Andy Millar show in Harare where the girls rekindled the live stage scene of the 1970s - the period Tuku still draws much of his inspiration today.

Of course over time the pretty girlie looks of the Golden Girls are gone now - after all they are in the mid-to-late 50s now. But what is key they have returned with all the boogie energy and even more vivacious voices so rich in melody they would make Madonna a novice.

When they opened their single set with Tuku their entrance was truly vintage, rocking like the Mahotela Queens - fast and furious.

In faded pairs of tight jeans pants and equally tight long-sleeved black sweaters the Golden Girls made Tuku’s eclectic music of the 1970s sound like only yesterday, doing the original versions of Tozeza, Perekedza Mwana, Tinomuchema amongst many other oldies.

Tuku did not use his trademark acoustic guitar. Just him, his voice and legs. But his hai-kobo dance and a burst of emotional tunes continued defining Tuku as a world class entertainer whose originality and art of creativity makes him the consummate performer.

For sure the old repertoire was there. T he cheering fans were there too. What missed were the ‘hippie’ Tuku costumes: the skintight bell-bottoms, the open chest cardigans, the high-heeled Wild West boots - the shaggy beard and bushy afro hair. But fans will see a return of most of the archaic fashion when Tuku hosts the “Show of the 1970s” later in the year featuring friends from his generation the likes of the Golden Girls themselves and more.

Performances at the “Show of the 1970s” will be dominated by the golden oldies that gave rise to what has now become the phenomenal Tuku Music. It will be a tribute concert to celebrate the treasure of Tuku Music.

Many may remember the Golden Girls among the girls who also backed Safirio Madzikatire as the Sea Cottage Sisters and also in Zexie Manatsa’s Green Arrows, Tineyi Chikupo too and the army Signals Band. Now they are grannies – old timers eager to see the good times roll again. Saturday’s show was only the beginning.

The Golden Girls are Winnie Nyikayaramba (59), Tsitsi Muchineuta (59), Violet Mutsingo (52) and Annah Chimbarami (55).

Tuning back in time Tuku also brought in Moses Mulla the ex-Black Spirits guitarist from the line-up of the 1970s standing out that night side by side with the Golden Girls in a show where also the current Black Spirits performed including Ay Band, Munya Mataruse, UK based Cynthia Mare and Sulumani Chimbetu. Thanks to the kind show support by Savanna Tobacco.

Meanwhile Tuku is now embarking on his overseas tour. Last Saturday’s Andy Millar show in Harare was his last public performance in the capital until September.

Snapshots of Tuku and the Golden Girls follow below. – tukumusik.com

Old timers meet and let the good times roll. Tuku meets the Golden Girls who backed him in the 1970s. Winnie and Tsitsi both aged 59 now perfoming with Tuku at Andy Millar in Harare last Saturday.