Edward Kofi Donkor (1942–1995) was a
Ghanaian highlife musician. He was popularly referred to as Senior Eddie Donkor or Eddie Donkor Senior.
Early life
Eddie Donkor was born at
Akropong
Akropong is a town in South Ghana and is the capital of the Akuapim North District, a district in the Eastern Region of South Ghana. This town is known for producing snails and palm oil. in the
Eastern Region Eastern Region or East Region may refer to:
* Eastern Region (Abu Dhabi): Al Ain
*Eastern Region, Ghana
*Eastern Region (Iceland)
*Eastern Region, Nepal
*Eastern Region, Nigeria
* Eastern Region, Serbia
* Eastern Region, Uganda
* Eastern Region of ...
of the
Gold Coast
Gold Coast may refer to:
Places Africa
* Gold Coast (region), in West Africa, which was made up of the following colonies, before being established as the independent nation of Ghana:
** Portuguese Gold Coast (Portuguese, 1482–1642)
** Dutch G ...
(now
Ghana
Ghana (; tw, Gaana, ee, Gana), officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country in West Africa. It abuts the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, sharing borders with Ivory Coast in the west, Burkina Faso in the north, and To ...
) on 6 March 1942. His basic education was at the Akropong Presbyterian School. He was keen on music from his youth.
Music career
Eddie Donkor's group was the African Brothers Band which was inaugurated at the Park Cinema in
Accra
Accra (; tw, Nkran; dag, Ankara; gaa, Ga or ''Gaga'') is the capital and largest city of Ghana, located on the southern coast at the Gulf of Guinea, which is part of the Atlantic Ocean. As of 2021 census, the Accra Metropolitan District, , ...
in 1963. The original members of the group were Eddie Donkor (vocals and rhythm guitar), Patrick Ampadu (Paa-Still), Rover Kofi Amoh, Maxwell Teacher Boateng, A. Koo Ofori, Kwame Anim, Nana Nyarko, Yaw Asante and Yaw Owusu. He later left this group to form his own group, Senior Eddie Donkor and The Asiko Internationals Band.
One of the successful founders from this group is
Nana Kwame Ampadu (Patrick Ampadu) who also became a very successful highlife artist.
He was one of the most established highlife music performers in Ghana and toured various countries including the United States. Eddie Donkor's live bands played at some of the prestigious venues in Ghana during the height of his fame. Similar to most live bands at the time, performances were often interspersed with comedy during interludes. Popular comedians like
Bob Okala often toured with Senior Eddie Donkor.
Most of his songs were sung in Twi. Some of them were sung in more than one language. "Corner Fast," "Maye Hot," and "New King, New Law" all feature more than one language in the song.
Family
Donkor's daughter, Abena Nyarteh also went into music in the 1980s.
Death
Eddie Donkor died on the 24th of April, 1995. He was buried at his hometown of Akropong.
Discography
Singles
*''Ampokyekye''
*''Destiny''
*''D.K. Poison Mo''
*''Na Me Cause Am''
*''Woka Bi A Tie''
Albums and compilations
Eddie Donkor released a number of albums mainly with his group the Internationals.
*''Asiko Darling'' (LP)
*''Asiko Guys'' (LP) – also featuring Major Baah on ''Odo Nsuo''
*''Eye Banker'' (LP)
* ''King Of Rhythm Power'' (LP) (1972) Gapophone Records
*''Menom Kooko'' (LP)
*''N.C.N.C. No Contribution No Chop'' – CD compilation
*''Wo Nso Try'' (LP)
* ''Yebu Didi'' (1990) Agya Paye Records.
References
External links
Eddie Donkor Discography on DiscogsEddie Donkor at AllMusicEddie Donkor on Sonic Hits
{{DEFAULTSORT:Donkor, Eddie
1942 births
1995 deaths
Akan people
Ghanaian highlife musicians
20th-century Ghanaian male singers