Down memory lane
Grotto was our band formed in 1975 in St. Gregory’s Colege, Obalende.
The Original *GROTTO* was made up of *3,Martin Amenechi* on Guitar. *Soga Benson* on Bass Guitar and *Skidd Ikemefuna* on drums.
Our musical direction was *Rock/Jazz/Funk* *fusion* .
We played gigs in *Universities* *of* *Lagos* . *Ibadan* and *Ife* ,. traveling on power bikes.
We played same concerts with *BLO* . ( *Berkley Jones* , *Laolu Akins* *Mike Odumosu* .).. Especially at Unilag.
*Uncle* *Bobby Benson* and *Bro* *Tony Benson* , put us on the opening bill at *Caban Bamboo* on Friday nights.
Before we formed *Grotto* , there was *WARHEAD* *CONSTRICTION* … made up of *Martin Amenechi* on Guitar, *Femi Lasode* on Bass Guitar, and *Skidd Ikemefuna* on drums, . *Ben Murray Bruce* also played with the band briefly on bass .
*GROTTO* , later expanded to include *Toma Mason* , *Etim Bassey* , and *Juyin Audifferen* … *Ukay* *Offurum* and *Ayinke Martins* jammed on vocals with the band.
We were signed up by *EMI* and recorded 2 Album which took forever… And so the titles…’ *Grotto At Last* ‘ and ‘ *Wait no Hurry* ‘
I moved up to playing Guitar alongside *Martin* and *Soga* and also percussions with *Toma* on Bass, *Etim* on Drums and *Audifferen* on Keyboard.
*Willy Edozie* featured on Flute and *Gboyega Adelaja* featured on Keyboards on the recording of ” *Wait No Hurry* ‘.
*Shadow* *Abraham* , *Segun Bucknor* and *Abami* *Eda* *Fela* *Anikulakpo* *Kuti* mentored and supported *Grotto* by allowing us to rehearse with there equipment.
We did rehearsal at *Segun Bucknor’s house in Yaba, at *Shadow Abraham’s club* at Ebuta Metta and at the *Shrine* at Idioro.
*Art Alade* was there for us also.
*Majekodumi* taught me how to play the guitar in *Gregs* and *Ladi Williams and Martin Amenechi* inspired me..though *Jimi Hendrix* was my main inspiration.
*Grotto* played futuristic music….
I REMEMBER KUNLE BENSON… A GREAT SUPPORTER OF GROTTO (RIP).
The story of GROTTO will not be complete without mentioning these 2 unofficial but constant members of Grotto
Maxwell Benson and Kunle Benson(late).
They were always present at Grotto gigs and travelled with us on gigs trips to Benin, Ife and Ibadan.
We travelled on power bikes(we were the ORIGINAL Bikers). This was 1976-77.
I remember the day we finished our speedometers racing from Lagos to Benin and Benin back to Lagos.
I think Kunle won the race. The Lagos Benin express road was smooth .. not one pot hole …. then .
Maxwell led the bike pack with his Kawasaki Z 900(power house), followed by Soga Benson with his Honda 750(the first bike I saw that had a cooling system Radiator), then Skidd with Kawasaki 250 later 650 and Kunle on another Kawasaki 250.
Your vote counts – 2baba Foundation
I will never forget the day we lost Kunle.
We used to open on Friday nights at Caban Bamboo, then Tony Benson will Jam, before Uncle Bobby Benson will Entertain.
We had just finished playing and were sitting on our bikes relaxing and jisting in front of Hotel Bobby when Kunle suddenly put on his helmet and started his bike.
We inquired where he was rushing to, and he said he had forgotten he was supposed to pick up somebody in Surulere, but that he would be right back and took off on his bike.
That was the last time we saw him.
He crashed into a brokendown truck on Ojuelegba bridge. The truck had no lights or caution sign. He did not see it as there were no street lights either.
We heard about it 30 minutes later.
What a tragedy.
I was so distressed that I left my bike there and went home with a taxi.. I never went back for it and I don’t know what happened to it
I only just started riding again 2 years ago.
May his gentle, lively soul continue to rest in perfect peace
RIP
Jimmy (Skidd) Ikemefuna.
