Legendary highlife music singer Nze Dan Orji of the Peacocks band International has been confirmed dead today July 31, 2015 by a source close to the family.
According to the source, Nze Dan Orji died at the early hours of today in his home at Orji Uratta Owerri North LGA, Imo State after complaining of chest pain three days earlier.
Nze Dan Orji- who holds the titled Aku Ji Eshi Obi Ike 1 of Orji Town (Wealth Gives Confidence) was born on December 5, 1945 into the family of Late Mazi Chima Orji of Aro Village in Orji Autonomous Community, Owerri North LGA of Imo State, Nigeria.
He will be remembered for his great songs in the 1970s and 1980s especially with the Peacocks band International.
Having started doing music in 1957, he founded the ‘Orji Rankers’, a group he later left to form Peacocks International Band in 1970.
In 1972 ‘Sambola Mama’ was released and it became the household song of the 1970’s in the Old Owerri and beyond and Danny as he was fondly called was the main vocalist for the Peacocks
In 1975, he moved on to form his own group called Skylarks, they released many hits such as “Jigi Jigi Kpom Kpom” and “Mama Aliche”, which have been replayed by many upcoming artists across Imo state today.
He has trained many youths in music, he was the founder and former leader of Orji Youths Cultural Dance Group. Recently, he took time out from music to write his Autobiography titled My Odyssey.
He will be remembered whenever Highlife music or what we call Bongo music today is mentioned.
