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Bongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
A HISTORICAL documentary about the popularity of rock music in Zimbabwe is on the cards with dub poet Albert Nyathi roped in as part of the production team for the international music film that will be shown in the United States later this year.

The documentary will be premised on the 60s and 70s when icons like Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Rolling Stone, Queen and Jimi Hendrix were popular.

The popularity of rock trickled down to Zimbabwe and there were other groups and icons to emerge during the same period.

Nyathi said he would be in Bulawayo to do interviews with artistes that were involved in rock music next month.

“I’m firstly starting with Harare this week and we shall be interviewing people like Virginia Phiri who were involved in the genre during the time. In Bulawayo we shall track down people from the group Wells Fargo that was prominent during those days,” he said.

Nyathi said he was part of a team of four producers doing the documentary.

“There are two gentlemen from the United Kingdom and one from the United States. When they touch down they shall give us full details of the whole project. They shall be in the country from tomorrow (today) until the February 11 when they have to go back to their country,” he said.

Nyathi said part of the filming would include visiting venues where shows were held in both cities.

“The musical shows were being held at places like Stanley Hall and Square. So we shall have the yesteryear stars narrating their experiences and influences during the time they formed their groups,” he said.

Nyathi said they wanted to have Dorothy Masuka who was very popular during the time to also contribute to the documentary.

“Aunt Dot was also involved in the same music scene. She was a prominent figure as she featured in magazines during that time. It will be good to have her voice in this documentary,” he said.