The highlife fraternity on Saturday joined the Helwani, Fatal and Medie families to celebrate their fallen hero, Faisal Helwani, as part of activities marking his final memorial service.
The late legendary music producer and CEO of Bibini Music, died at 62 on Sunday, July 27 in Lebanon where he was seeking medical attention. Upon his request before giving up the ghost that he should be buried in Ghana, his mortal remains were brought down and interred at the Osu Cemetery in Accra on Wednesday, August 6.
Last Saturday at the National Theater, a programme dubbed “Faisal Remembered - A Night of Tribute” was held to celebrate his life and times in the music industry. The occasion saw players in the industry as well as Ministers of State in attendance.
His pals and loved ones shared with the public some of the moments they had with Helwani in the ‘good old days’.
Some also extolled Helwani for his tireless efforts in advocating for a vibrant music industry, especially in the area of copyright.
Stan Plange, one of Ghana’s acclaimed highlife musicians and Faisal’s friend of over 30 years, described the late producer as “controversial”.
“If you don’t know him closely you will think he is a bad man, but his greatest interest is musicians.” According to him Faisal raised enough money to promote music in Ghana from when he was 18 years but did not gain much from music.
The night as well witnessed the premiering of the life story of Faisal which was recorded before his death and narrated by him.
The occasion attracted musical performances from C.K. Mann, Agya Koo Nimo, Gyedu Blay Ambolley among others who all paid tributes to Faisal.
However the gospel, hiplife and contemporary highlife musicians seemed to have distanced themselves from the programme as Beatwaves could not notice their presence.
