Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Vuvuzela 'inventor' set to relaese an album of tunes

By Christian Gysin, Daily Mail/UK


The South African who has taken responsibility for inventing the vuvuzela is preparing to offer the world his next gift - an entire album of songs played on the tuneless trumpet.

South African Freddie Maake, 55, recorded the 18 track CD last year near his home in Johannesburg.

The dedicated football fan said he did so to show the versatility of the three foot horn, which he claims to have created in 1965.

And he is now hoping to cash in on his invention's newfound notoriety by selling the album to football fans during the World Cup.

Freddie said: 'I have been blowing my vuvuzela for more than 30 years so I know what it can do.

'People criticise the horn because of the sound it makes, but when it is played properly it can add something quite beautiful to a song.'

Freddie, a father of nine, said he had the idea for the vuvuzela aged 15 when he was given a bicycle horn for his birthday.

The schoolboy removed the rubber pump from the end and use his lips to produce a ear-splitting sound.

He blasted the horn for years while watching his beloved Kazier Chiefs play in Soweto.
And he said he developed the distinctive shape used by fans today in 1989 after approaching a friend who owned a plastics factory.

Since then Freddie has travelled the world representing South Africa's Football Association.

He blasted his vuvuzela at the 1998 World Cup in France, the 2002 tournament in Japan and Korea and during the last World Cup in Germany.

Now the event has hit his home country he said the time was right to release his music.

The studio album contains renditions of African tunes including South Africa's national anthem and other famous songs from the host nation.

Among the tracks is Shosholoza, a classic South African song traditionally sung by workers which has become one of the tunes of the World Cup.

Freddie has also penned some tracks of his own.

They include one in which he praises the beauty of Johannesburg's main stadium Soccer City, and another about South African and West Ham striker Benni McCarthy.

On all songs Freddie can be heard blasting the vuvuzela as a percussion instrument, sometimes beneath melodies provided by keyboard or organ.

Today the entrepreneur said he hoped the CD would help people around the world appreciate the instrument's charm.

The keen musician, who lives in the Tembisa township east of Johannesburg, added: 'My CD is about Africa, the people who live here and the friendships that can be made.

'The vuvuzela is now part of our culture, and it can bring people together.

'My album is a celebration of the joy that can be brought by fine music and friendship.

'The World Cup is a great chance for everyone to come together and party.

'I hope that fans enjoy my music so they can have the perfect soundtrack to the tournament.'

1 comment:

  1. This is an absolutely brilliant story, and the pic is amazing. I bet he won't be getting to number one anytime soon, but still, what a hero!

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