Allan Chimbetu revisits Simon’s vision

By Tawanda Marwizi

For the years the late Simon Chimbetu was jailed, his brothers Allan and Briam visited him regularly making consultations on how to run the band. By then Allan was only 19 years old and his brothers were against his idea to join the band.

His persistence changed Simon’s mind who then employed him as the head of security at Orchestra Dendera Kings. “When he was in jail I took that opportunity to go against his wish and learnt how to play rhythm guitar,” recounts Allan.

He had no option because he wanted to assist his brother Briam in making sure that the brand would not fall. “Simon’s biggest concern was his band and he did not want to lose any of the band members. So he would tell us what to do while he was in prison,” he said.

For him it was a difficult task as he was young and could not understand the dynamics of the music industry.

“What I only understand is we managed to keep the brand going, no one left the band. Upon his release he was very happy that we managed to do the best prompting him to promote me to the stage,” he said.

Allan said Simon spent some of his time at his farm in Chegutu and would leave him to work with the band.

“That is the time when I started to understand his ideology because he would say go and lead the guys for rehearsals. Sometimes he would come and we would start afresh,” he said.

Allan opened up on the relationship they had as brothers.

“There was a good working relationship especially between Naison and Simon. Dai vaisawirirana vakafa vese vasisina mazino. Their difference was only on alcohol abuse,” he said.

He has not worked on any album for long saying he wanted to pave way for Suluman, Tryson and Douglas to establish themselves.

“I wanted them to be established and since they have done so I can now work on my projects,” he said.

According to the “Sony” hit maker his next album “Covenant” will meet the target Simon had set.

“He had his targets, one of them being a unique artist who always gives the best to his fans. I am sure we have done enough home work to give fans the best on the album,” he said.

The album has songs “Ndichinge Ndine Mari”, “Nguva Yekuita Mari”, “Mhuri Yakura”, “Lisa”, “Covenant” and “Viva Dendera”.

The album will be launched on July 13 at Bar Rouge and several musicians that include the Chimbetus, Alick Macheso and Peter Moyo will perform.

“Everything has been set for the launch and I am sure the album will explore the vision we had as brothers,” he said. The Herald