The Four Brothers

Formed in 1978, The Four Brothers came together as a splinter outfit from the Great Sounds, with guitarists Edward Matigasi handling lead—he took over from founding member Frank Simanda in 1987—and Alick Chipaika covering rhythm, joined by bassist Never Mutare and Marshall Ticharwa Munhumumwe on drums and vocals. Their debut pair of albums, Makorokoto and Umbayi, both earned gold certification and landed the group a standing engagement at Harare's Saratoga Bar. Toward the close of the 1980s the band stood among the nation's leading acts, while their 1989 spot on a collection released by the U.K. imprint Stylus expanded their reach and acclaim.