What is Zamrock, who invented it, how?

In the 1970s, when Europe and America broke ground musically and records were more accessible than ever before, a musical revolution was taking place in a small country that was far from attention. Zambia combined its own African culture with the Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix records brought to the country at that time, creating the completely original "Zamrock" genre.

What is Zamrock, How Was He Born?

Zambia, a British colony, was receiving massive immigration from abroad in the 1960s when its rich bronze deposits were exploited and their kingdoms were united. This migration meant that many different cultures and musical genres also added to the richness of the country. In addition to domestic instruments, western instruments such as guitar and harmonica were brought to the country by the British.

Zamrock is a musical genre that emerged and gained popularity in Zambia during the early 1970s. It has been described as a fusion of traditional African music and psychedelic rock, garage rock, hard rock, blues and funk, taking influence from popular bands like Black Sabbath, Blue Cheer, the Rolling Stones, Deep Purple, and Cream.

Rock records were also brought in by wealthy British families living in Zambia; In a short time, many bands such as Hendrix, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Cream, and the Rolling Stones began to be listened to by Zambian youth.

Zambia gained independence in 1964 when these songs were most popular in the country. Soon after, the first radio station ZBS was established. The country's first president, Kenneth Kaunda, also an amateur musician, passed a law that at least 95% of the music played on the radio must be of Zambian origin.

As a result of all these sociological and cultural changes, the “Zamrock” genre was born, which first started in miners' taverns and then reached stadiums with thousands of seats.

Zamrock's Golden Age

Since it is a species that was born as a result of such great changes and cultural interactions, it naturally contains these changes and can be easily detected when listened to. Many topics are discussed in the songs, from the position of black people in social life to working as a worker abroad. Emmanuel "Jagari" Chanda, a member of WITCH, one of the country's most beloved bands (Jagari is the African version of Mick Jagger's last name), states the influence of Western influence by saying, "All guitarists in my country who call themselves guitarists started by playing "Hey Joe".

Zamrock; It is described as a combination of rock, psychedelic rock, funk, and local African music, or "the combined sound of James Brown and Jimi Hendrix". Although the songs generally have an "aggressive" tone, there are also songs with slow and catchy "pop" refrains.

An Early End

Towards the end of the 70s, inflation and unemployment began to increase with the fall in copper prices. After President Kenneth Kaunda supported freedom fighters in neighboring countries, the country began to be the target of bombardments. There were sudden blackouts and blackouts during the day as radio stations and power stations were hit.

Due to the newly introduced curfew, it has become impossible to give concerts in the evenings. However, some groups and their listeners continued to give concerts from 6 pm to 6 am, by being locked in the music venues for 12 hours.

Due to difficult conditions, disco venues that did not require only a DJ and any other preparations began to increase. Then, with the emergence of the AIDS crisis in the country in 1988, almost all Zamrockers who lived the "rock n' roll" life lost their lives. The rest continue to take the stage and keep Zamrock alive, as the interest in Zamrock has increased recently.