- Wilson Kinyonga
Wilson Peter Kinyonga (1947? – August, 1995) was an influential musician in
Kenya . Born inTanzania , Wilson Kinyonga and his brotherGeorge Kinyonga founded the rumba bandSimba Wanyika which would later spawnLes Wanyika ,Super Wanyika Stars and other offshoots. Les Wanyika was to become more popular as Simba Wanyika disintegrated. The death of George Peter Kinyonga in August 1995 served as the last nail in the coffin for Simba Wanyika. Subsequent attempts by some former band members to reassemble the band have not been successful.Wilson and George Kinyonga began as musicians in their home town of Tanga in Tanzania when they joined
Jamhuri Jazz Band in 1966. They moved toArusha in 1970 and formedArusha Jazz Band with their other brother, William Kinyonga. In 1970 they moved to Kenya and formed Simba Wanyika, which would become one of the most influential bands in the history of East African music.External links
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/johnpeel/artists/s/simbawanyika/ Simba Wanyika (BBC)]
* [http://www.afropop.org/explore/band_info/ID/9/Simba%20Wanyika/ Simba Wanyika: Afropop Band]
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