The fully air-conditioned bus carrying Lucky Dube, the famous South African-born reggae star, his manager Mr. David Jacobs and the entire musical group arrived at the premises of the festival at Linkeroever-Antwerp.
There was another group playing on stage and Lucky has to perform after them. He arrived on time. He sat in the bus for about thirty minutes and suddenly he came down in a grey leather cap, covering his dreadlocks, a pair of blue jeans and black shoes.
He went straight to the make-shift cafeteria and asked for some hot water. They couldn't provide him. He was directed to the next place. There he had one for his tea. I followed him humbly and said, "Sir I have an appointment to interview you."
"Who did you asked for the interview?" Asked Lucky Dube "Els please" I responded. Lucky identified the name immediately as the lady who has the program of all the artists who are performing at the festival on July 4th. "I will do the interview after performing" Said Lucky. He went back into the bus.
I stood at the back of the stage for about thirty minutes and Lucky came out again. This time, he has a different attire on, signifying that it is time to go and do what he likes best to put up a musical show.
In a long sleeve light cotton black shirt and the same kind of material for the trousers, I followed him as he walks towards the platform. Lucky didn't walk straight to the platform. He grabbed one of the iron bars of the platform, holding close to it and moving his body in gymnastic movements.
During the short period, Lucky did that, my instinct told me that he was praying before going on stage. He did it in a way that nobody could see or barely understand what he was doing. As he climbed up the stage, a thunderous scream of love, devotion, and happiness greeted him.
He grabbed the microphone and serious reggae business starts. Lucky's Peter Tosh style of voice was like a magnet pulling everyone behind the stage to dancing.
Lucky Dube Live -War and crime
He sang a couple of his old songs like "Money money money" taken from the album "Soul Taker" But things went different ways when he sang "One people different colours."
The people were filled with mixed feelings of sadness and joy. I saw some weeping, swinging their hands in the air. Some carry bands with bold inscriptions "Lucky We Love You." "Lucky Dube welcome to Antwerpen" etc. I have never seen this anywhere before.
Get a copy of 'The Passion Of Reggae And African Music' to know more about this great musician who was brutally killed because of his car.
https://www.amazon.com/Passion-Reggae-African-Music-ebook/dp/B013L9A1JQ?