Biography of Tunde Nightingale

Tunde Nightingale, a.k.a. , "Western" was a native of Ibadan, the largest city in both Nigeria and Africa. An incredible guitarist with a sonorous voice to boot, he was best known for his unique Jùjú music style, following in the tradition of Tunde King. Born in Ibadan in the late-1940s, his contemporaries included Ayinde Bakare, I. K. Dairo and Dele Ojo. Nightingale was credited with the Owambe system, which was popular among Lagos socialites, who eagerly sponsored him on a tour abroad. When he returned, he signed with the TYC label and recorded over 40 albums in his career. Modern stars like King Sunny Ade and Queen Ayo Balogun continue to be influenced by his style. Apart from the fact that he "sounded," literally, like the proverbial singing bird, "Nightingale," he also kept a live Nightingale bird in his home.