Tributes Pour In for Afro Rock Pioneer and Community Music Champion
Lord Eric Sugumugu, the Ghanaian-born percussionist celebrated as a pillar of African traditional arts, has died at the age of 81 following a short illness. Known for his pioneering work in afro rock and his decades-long dedication to promoting African culture in schools across the United Kingdom, his passing has sparked an outpouring of admiration and remembrance from the music and educational communities.
A Colourful Career Spanning Six Decades
Lord Eric, whose birth name was Eric Carboo, enjoyed a vibrant and influential career that stretched over more than sixty years. He was credited with pioneering the innovative musical fusion known as afro rock, a groundbreaking sound that blended traditional African rhythms with contemporary rock elements. His musical journey saw him collaborate with some of the industry's greatest names, including Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones and the renowned Nigerian percussionist Ginger Johnson.
In the 1980s and 1990s, he shifted his focus toward education, dedicating himself to bringing African culture to schools throughout the country with his band, Agor Mmba. This educational program evolved from Sugumugu Sunday, a popular weekly event at the Winchester Project in Swiss Cottage that featured interactive storytelling, drumming, and dance.
Transforming Education Through Music and Dance
The school workshop initiative took off after headteacher Beryl Gilroy invited Lord Eric to run a session at the former Beckford Primary School in West Hampstead. The program quickly expanded across Camden and eventually established itself nationwide. "We opened up a new field and soon we were touring the whole country, from Cornwall to Scotland," he once recalled with evident passion. "It was not just jumping about but creating culture, and it really inspired a lot of children."
He took great pride in the lasting impact of his work, noting that many participants have since grown into successful adults, with numerous individuals pursuing careers in the arts. "To this day, I get positive feedback from those who benefited from our work. They are big men and women now and doing well. What we did was amazing," he reflected.
From Coastal Ghana to London's Music Scene
Born in the coastal town of Apam, Ghana, Lord Eric was destined for performance from a young age. As a child, he was part of a theatrical drum and dance troupe, where he learned to play and craft a wide variety of instruments. Although he initially studied electronics in the Netherlands after leaving school, his true calling led him to London in the early 1960s.
In London, he immersed himself in the music scene, connecting with influential musicians like the late Osibisa saxophonist Teddy Osei. Utilizing his electronics expertise, he experimented with amplifying traditional instruments—a novel concept at the time—which paved the way for his innovative contributions to music.
Pioneering Afro Rock and Iconic Performances
His big break came at one of Ginger Johnson's concerts at the Round House, where he debuted his technique of making drums acoustic, creating the sensational crossover sound that became known as afro rock. This led to a surge in gigs and a central role in Johnson's legendary Iroko Club in Belsize Park, a venue that hosted iconic acts such as Fela Kuti, Osibisa, and Funkadelic.
Lord Eric's career highlights include sharing the stage with the Rolling Stones during their famous 1969 Hyde Park concert, performing on the Live and Let Die soundtrack with Paul McCartney and Wings, and participating in a United Nations 50th-anniversary concert in New York as part of a 45-member drumming ensemble that blended highlife rhythms with baroque music. More recently, he performed with the Master Drummers of Africa at prestigious venues like the Barbican and South Bank halls.
A Fixture in Community and Cultural Life
Beyond the stage, Lord Eric became a staple on the community festival circuit and was known for sounding the ceremonial abeng horn at various events, from collaborations with Theatro Technis to appearances at the Serpentine Gallery during exhibitions by photographer James Barnor. A long-time resident of Kentish Town, he was often seen on the High Road, flamboyantly dressed and always willing to stop for a friendly chat.
True to his name, which means "happiness always," he radiated joy, though he expressed frustration over the missed opportunity to take over the Round House with a consortium of black artists in the 1980s—a plan scrapped by Camden Council. "Now we can't even play there," he lamented, viewing it as a betrayal.
Legacy of Joy and Inspiration
Lord Eric passed away from lung cancer on February 17 at the Royal Free Hospital, shortly after hosting a musical gathering with friends at his home in Leighton Crescent. Guitarist Kari Bannerman praised him as "an influential figure in African Western musical fusion, a larger-than-life African elder who made it his mission to introduce children to African culture." He added, "He was always fun to be around but also kind and supportive. London will feel emptier without him."
Shanta, daughter of Teddy Osei, echoed these sentiments, stating, "He was the most loyal and devoted person that I have ever met. I owe him so much for giving him sweet laughter and companionship in my dad's last years." Lord Eric Sugumugu's legacy as a pioneer, educator, and community icon will continue to resonate, inspiring future generations through the rhythms and cultures he so passionately championed.
