In 1975, Ade made his first tour outside Africa, performing in Washington, D.C., Boston, N.Y., and Detroit as part of a U.S. In 1974, Ade launched his own record label, Sunny Alade Records, whose first release, “Synchro System/’ introduced and was named after a new, catchy dance style that reflected his increasing commitment to electronics. Ade first increased his frontline from the standard two guitars to four or five. The band’s first LP, Alanu Loluwa, appeared the same year on the Nigeria-Africa Song label.įor any juju group aiming at permanent stardom, an instantly recognizable sound, preferably with a memorable name, was crucial. But the second record, “Challenge Cup ’67,” a song in praise of a popular football team released in 1968, sold a reputed 23, 000 copies. The group’s debut record, made in 1967, sank almost without a trace (Ade once estimated selling a total of 23 copies). The following year he launched his first major band, The Green Spots. In 1966, Ade formed a shortlived group called The High Society Band. Ade dropped out of school at about age 14 and worked as a drummer with a local highlife group, Moses Olaiya and his Federal Rhythm Dandies, while picking up acoustic guitar, which he began playing in public in 1965. His mother, Princess Marian Adeniyi Adegeye, sang in chapel choirs. His father, Prince Samuel Adeniyi Adegeye, was a Methodist trader and amateur church musician. Ade, Sunny (Prince Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye)Īde, Sunny (Prince Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye), major star of the urban Yoruba juju style and one of the few African musicians to gain a following overseas b.