By Cedric Chithenga Nyoni
Percy Sledge was a famous American musician oftenly referred to as King of Soul Music.
Percy Sledge visited Malawi and held a live concert at Kamuzu Stadium on 16 September 1972.
The stadium was filled to capacity and he was a talk of the whole country.. every one talked about his coming as he was so popular those days
The stadium went wild when Percy Sledge played his hit songs ‘When a man loves a woman’ and ‘Take time to Know her’
DR. KAMUZU BANDA DEPORTS PERCY SLEDGE SOON AFTER THE SHOW:
Percy Sledge was deported back to USA soon after there show and was ordered never to visit Malawi again.
Percy Sledge was more popular that he attracted a huge crowd than a Kamuzu Presidential rally a thing no one ever did prior to this.. only Kamuzu comanded such crowds and for Percy Sledge to do it was a concern to state security in the eyes of authorities that time.
Kamuzu also became furious with Sledge because he used the main gates at the open stands passing around the pitch when he was entering Kamuzu Stadium instead of using the back door of the VIP stand.
Only Kamuzu was the only person who used to use these main gates.
It is also said Kamuzu was furious when Sledge likened the huge crowd that attended his show to that of Kamuzu.
RESULTS OF THE PERCY SLEDGE CONCERT:
Percy Sledge and his band crew had large Afro hairs and wore bell-bottom trousers (ma fuleya)
Kamuzu instantly banned the Youth not to wear Bell-bottom trousers and ordered them to shave their Afro hairs.
Ladies were ordered to were dresses or skirts that pass the knees.
Kamuzu accused Percy Sledge of bringing to Malawi a loose US Black American culture to Malawi youths.
