He stepped into history as a recalcitrant youth who abandoned his parents’ choice of Medicine for him at the time they least expected it. He was born with a silver spoon and given the best of education any child could ever desire, but Stephen Bankole Omodele Rhodes, better known as Steve Rhodes fell in love with Music at a time every parent would be proud to have his or her son as a medical doctor, dentist or lawyer.

Rhodes went into ancestry barely a week ago at the ripe age of 83. He had every opportunity to pick any of the so-called lucrative professions while growing up. But out of passion and strong conviction, he opted to study Music. Upon completing his secondary education, the late Rhodes travelled abroad and was registered at the King’s College Castle, in preparation for his admission into the university either to study Medicine or Dentistry.

When his father rejected the choice of Dentistry, Steve was again taken to Oxford University, England for a course that could earn him a degree in Law. But as he would later propel his own destiny, Rhodes fell in love with Music while studying at Oxford.

With his newly found ‘love’, Rhodes travelled to Germany where he underwent training in Music under a German professor. He later became a Jazz player, travelling for concerts in Italy, Germany and Switzerland. He later returned to England to join his fellow Nigerians and Africans on the need to return home to help develop the African continent.
With a career spanning over six decades, Rhodes the founder of Steve Rhodes’Voices did so well for the music and entertainment industry, producing, promoting and involving himself in serious advocacy. His death in a London Hospital last Thursday marked the exit of a colossus and the end of an era in Nigeria’s concert music.

Meanwhile, notable Nigerians, among who are artistes, politicians and culture practitioners have paid him glowing tributes. They include:
•Ambassador Segun Olusola, veteran broadcaster and founder, African Refugee Foundation (AREF)
“We lost Elder Steve Rhodes. We lost some great people in the tradition of the art that he belong. We lost the old man Fela Sowande, many years ago, he was an authentic Nigerian Yoruba musician of classical origin who came into limelight 50 years ago.
“We lost Sam Akpabot who was a populariser of classical music. What Rhodes did was to accept to return to this country at the time he did when he could have stayed abroad. He’s paid his dues, made his name and he could have been a Nigerian musician anywhere abroad. But he returned and came into broadcasting at a time I was a starter in broadcasting.

“I remember one of his visits to Ibadan where I was a features producer, a programme officer, he performed through the huge glass that divides the announcer boot, the studio from the control and he thought I was doing well. He had not even resumed work with Radio Nigeria, I was a features producer in Ibadan in 1957 and 1958 and this man was visiting and we knew he was a great man, a populariser of Nigerian music in broadcasting. And that was my first contact with him.

“Thereafter, as we all do in broadcasting, he accepted me as if we were contemporaries or age mates. I am only 73, the old man who passed on was 82. But he was not the person to show that. He related with me and encouraged me in those early days. Later on, we did some work together on television, he was the master of music in television when you talk about signature tune, mood music and of course, he then created the Steve Rhodes Orchestra which was a novelty because his predecessors, Fela Sowande and contemporaries, Akin Yuba, Sam Akpabot did not work in the tradition of creating a choral group and sustaining it to perform in competitions abroad, in Europe.

“He was a practical man of that level. He was not a bureaucrat. He was not a person who would remain in broadcasting organisation and become director general. No. He contributed his own part to broadcast management and later life, he served on the invitation of CORA, something we called Elders Forum, which we meet and still meet at the national stadium every month in a local music place. He encouraged the younger generation to participate.
“We wish he had been with us longer and we hope as the Muslims say in the Aljana, he will be richly rewarded for the good things he did when he was with us.”

•Prince Adetokunbo Kayode (SAN) Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation:
“The death of three prominent musicians and entertainment icons within a week will create a big vacuum in the sector.
“The passing away of Nigeria’s entertainment giant, Elder Steve Rhodes and Reggae star, Sammy Needle is shocking, particularly to the entertainment circle, which is just struggling to come to terms with the passing away of Ozzidi King, Sunny Okosuns last Sunday.

“Elder Steve Rhodes was popular for his originality, consistency and tenacity in his chosen field, which won him recognition, laurels and accolades at home and abroad. Elder Rhodes always ensured that the circle of musicians and entertainers remains peaceful. He also pioneered the emergence of highly educated personalities on the entertainment scene, thereby bringing phenomenal changes in terms of content and packaging of entertainment in Nigeria.
“Also, the late Sammy Neddle was one of the earliest trail-blazers in Reggae Music in Nigeria. Sammy Neddle, through his perceptive ability and meticulous approach to the rudiments of music, popularised Reggae Music in Nigeria.
“I hereby commiserate with the families, friends, relations of the deceased and the entire entertainment sector, and I pray for the fortitude to bear the loss.”

•Professor Femi Osofisan, renowned playwright and former GM, National Theatre:
“Uncle Steve Rhodes lived a kind of life all of us aspire to live, a fit and fulfilling symphony. For him, death was therefore not a defeat but a glorious triumph and that is how we shall mourn him, in song!”

•Professor Niyi Osundare, renowned poet and don, University of New Orleans, USA:
“Pa Steve Rhodes lived till ripe age, though since he lived an omniscient and multi-talented life, we would have loved him to still be around us. He practiced music and knew the history and theory of Music so well. My generation grew up admiring him on radio and performing good music. About 10 years ago, he came to Ibadan to give a talk at Irawo Centre and I asked him then about an old record titled Kin Lo hu ewu, Adan Lo hu ewu (It’s the Bat that has grey hairs). Pa Rhodes was a working visionary, a mobile encyclopedia and our loss of him is akin to a whole library burnt down. Indeed, Africa, Nigeria and the entire world will miss this great exponent but his music, which entertained us with his words of wisdom will always be with us.”

•Professor Ahmed Yerima, popular playwright and GM National Troupe/National Theatre, Lagos:
“Pa Rhodes’ loss is a great one to the entertainment world , because he was a reference point for quality, standard and class. I am honoured and privileged that l was inspired by him and he gave me his best like a true father.

“He was at the production of every play of mine once he was in Lagos and in good health. I shall cherish those little talks in which he pushed me to write another one. Two things also remain with me. His energy on Highlife Metamophosis gave the National Theatre and National Troupe a pass mark. Like I promised sir, the instruments in our joint production of High Life will continue to be used. Now the second, where do I go from here? I also remember your tapes, which you showed me in your sacred studio.

“I hope the plans you told me are in top gear? Maybe now I should have taken more decisive steps to retrieve them, but am sure we shall all work together now to get them all sorted out. I almost went to the press to announce our world music day project, your paper, and the musical show for June. We shall surely turn it into a celebration of your life. You cannot die…well done sir. You deserve this rest. You have taught us well, and we all love you forever. I heard that, I heard your deep chuckle. Good night sir.”