Just In: Zig Zag band member Steve ‘Lion’ Lunga dies

Kwekwe- ONE of the last two surviving members of the legendary Zig-Zag Band Steve ‘Lion’ Lunga has died,Express Mail Zim Lifestyle can report.

He was 54.

Circumstances surrounding his death could not be immediately ascertained but this publication understands that he died at Kwekwe General Hospital Sunday around 5pm.

The band is famous for hits like “Gomo Ramasare” and “Mudzimu Mukuru” among others.

It was formed in Kwekwe and when the late Oliver Mtukudzi left his first wife he relocated to Kwekwe from Highfield and joined the Zig Zag band.

The veteran artist, talented keyboard player, songwriter, and shrewd administrator left an indelible mark in the Chigiyo music genre (a fusion of reggae).

We confirmed the death with our Midlands based sources.

“Yes my brother, Lion passed on at Kwekwe General Hospital around 5 pm yesterday (Sunday).

“I grew up listening to his music and I am gutted.
“We stayed in the same neighbourhood.

“He was the only surving member based in Zimbabwe, all others passed away and the only other surviving member Gilbert Zvamaida defected to Mukanya (Thomas Mapfumo) and is the lead guitarist there in the United States,” said our source close to the goings-on.

The source said Lunga was in the process of grooming ‘young turks’ with view of assembling a revitalised outfit.

To make good his revival dream, he approached some well wishers from Germany where he was blessed with a new music kit a few months back.

Despite of being from Kwekwe, the band made strong waves in Harare and Bulawayo as their two hit singles rocked the music charts in the 1990’s.

However, the band collapsed in 2003 when five of the original seven band members passed awat.

According to music experts, Chigiyo type of music has its roots in muchongoyo and katekwe forms of dance from Chimanimani and Dande respectively.

Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced but mourners will be gathered at House number B52 in Amaveni, Kwekwe.