ABOUT PETER KALUMBA CHISHALA

Peter Kalumba Chishala (1957 – 15 June 1995) better known by his stage name P.K. Chishala, was a Zambian folk musician. Considered by many, to be one of the greatest musicians of the Kalindula genre. He contributed to the development and popularising of the genre.

He was the son of Maxem Chishala and Serah Mutele Kalumba Mwisa. He did his primary education at Mambilima mission school for the blind and later on went to the Western Province at Sefula Secondary School to pursue his Secondary education.

In his early years, P.K Chishala suffered from smallpox which later left him blind. He later worked as a social worker at MEF (Mindolo Ecumunical foundation) before his rise in the Zambian music industry.

He was a natural story teller and social commentator recording his debut single “Icososa Cipamano” at Malachite studios in Chingola while he was at school. Controversy was sparked when he released “Ba Pastor” in which he took a swipe at immoral clergy men – many wanted the song banned calling it blasphemous but despite all the hullabaloo the song went on to win song of the year in 1985.

He released Church Elder under Kariba Label by Teal Record Company and the title-track once again exposed the misdeeds of one “church elder” by the name of Pole Pole! The title-track won PK the 1987 Soloist of the Year Award and made him the country’s flag bearer at the 1988 World of Music and Dance (WOMAD) Festival, an annual event held in the UK.

He released “Na Musonda”, on which he introduced his wife “Harriet” on backing vocals. The album also had the humorous song Kubwaiche about his childhood. In 1993, he Released his fourth album Umwaume walutuku.

In his song common man P.K talked about the high cost of living and this was seen as being defiant or disrespectful to the Father of the nation Kenneth Kaunda. On 7th September 2019 he was honoured and a tombstone was unveiled in Chingola. He died on June 15th 1995.

MusIcAppreciation

SOURCE: Zone Fam