Record wait for platinum honour
Ray just went to a shopping centre as part of his daily routine, but he had no idea what the universe had in store for him....
MBOMBELA – As part of a series of coincidences, an internationally acclaimed platinum record made its way back to its rightful owner on Wednesday December 3.
South African jazz legend, Ray Phiri was pleasantly surprised when the owner of a frame shop cornered him at Crossing Centre with a large golden frame. Lowvelder happened to be on the scene.
“I heard Brother Ray was outside my shop,” said Mario Bruno of Frame Gallery. “I have something that belongs to him.” Bruno went into his store at Crossing Centre and returned with the large, cling-wrapped frame. “My brother, you left this at my shop to frame more than 15 years ago and never came to pick it up.”
The platinum record was awarded to Paul Simon’s 1987 hit album Graceland. After his disappointing album Hearts and Bones, Simon travelled to South Africa to work with local artists. Phiri was one of the lucky guests chosen to work with the rock star on his new album. Simon was so impressed with him that he invited him on his world tour. “We travelled three-quarters of the world for 11 years,” said Phiri. “Simon told me Graceland was the most important album of his life.”
It received platinum status (more than 1 million copies sold) in
12 countries and gold status
(500 000 copies sold) in nine. On their tour, Simon, Phiri and the rest of their band played on the world’s most prestigious stage – Madison Square Garden. “I can proudly say I was the first boy from Crocodile Valley to play in front of more than
750 000 people.”
Phiri dropped 21 records at Mario’s shop in 1999 and collected all but one. “I didn’t forget about the album. I was grieving, and when that happens you don’t know whether you are coming or going.”
In 2003 Phiri and his wife were in a tragic accident near Badplaas and she passed away. He was driving. He pleaded guilty to culpable homicide and served one year in Barberton State Prison. “I had to plead guilty because my wife had died. I had to take responsibility for what happened. If she wasn’t in the car, I would not have done it because I’m not God – I can’t choose what happens. I definitely did not choose to be in the accident.”
Years later, the long-lost platinum record has now taken up residence on a wall along with more than
80 other plated records in Phiri’s house. “This day felt like déjà vu,” Phiri laughed. “It’s like Christmas came early!”
