Musicians in Benue, under the aegis of the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN) have unveiled plans to immortalise the late Philip Aondoana, who was popularly known by his stage name, Philon Brown. Philon Brown died on 23 May 2023 in a private hospital in Abuja after suffering from an undisclosed ailment.
The deceased had released a critically well-received album in 1990 which sounded very much in the mould of the late Majek Fashek. Such was his promise that Philon’s album was released in Lagos under the Salt Record label, though he was performing in the little-recognised town of Makurdi in central Nigeria. The album was titled Power of the Most High. It featured the hit “One Man’s Soul (Is Another Man’s Target)” and a reprise of the legendary Bob Marley’s then-little-known “Jah Lives”.
Philon Brown was the older brother to Mrs Eunice Ortom, the former First Lady of Benue State and wife of Dr Samuel Ortom.
The funeral is slated for 14 June 2023 according to Roman Catholic rite. As a result of the schedule, the PMAN Benue State Chapter says its tribute concert will be held on Sunday, 11 June, according to a release by PMAN Benue Chair, Robert Udende.
In a tribute posted on YouTube days after the death of the Majek Fashek soundalike, songwriter Amed O, who worked assiduously on Philon’s only album strummed the guitar to a ballad in Philon Brown’s honour. The song chronicled the vibrance of the Makurdi music scene in the late 80s into early 90s:
PHILON BROWN
ANYDAY AMEDO MEETS PHILON BROWN
ANYDAY AMEDO SEES PHILON BROWN
They sit together in Mark Town
Dish Control and Rude Boy come around
They make music and listen to their sounds
Philon sometimes makes jest and clowns
They talk about the good old days
Of Joe Brass band called Jah Tails
They remember Pupa Blade and Slade
And the music and guitar David Abeke made
ANYDAY AMEDO MEETS PHILON BROWN
ANYDAY AMEDO SEES PHILON BROWN
They talk of Police Band where they used to jam
And how they featured on TV programs
And the radio where their music slammed
And as their music climbed to number one
As Blackman Oluma begins to tap
Don Godf would sometimes start the rap
Leerapmans would sing and people would clap
As they rehearse with Fidel Shamel and Polycarp
ANYDAY AMEDO MEETS PHILON BROWN
ANYDAY AMEDO SEES PHILON BROWN
They say Eugene plays drum and no other instrument
And Nick Thompson sings with excitement
Jollycocotata loves entertainment
Eupoglia fixed the equipment
So when they gathered for any show
Philon would make jest also
He says anytime you see Scotty and Amedo
Alcohol will surely flow
ANYDAY AMEDO MEETS PHILON BROWN
ANYDAY AMEDO SEES PHILON BROWN
They talk of Rub a Dub Stars
They talk of Irie Squad
Ital Generation.and many others
They talk of Klino Ranks, Godfrey, Ras Bonny, Ital Bonny, Madman Jaga, Ennyboy, Peter Ejuro, Chemical, Darling Clem, Mike Pila, Soky Brass and many others.
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