Before his death, King Sunny Ade had a huge respect for the legend. The Music maestro who is also a living Legend was always referred as Baba Sala’s benefactor.
Not so many knows how King Sunny Ade became the late legend’s benefactor and why he respected him so much. However, this was revealed in an interview with Baba Sala earlier in 2011 when he was asked a question ‘Why did you abandon your musical band?’
See his response below.
Drama was in my blood. I was a drummer. Sunny Ade likes playing guitar. I taught him how to play guitar and he is very good at it. I am proud of him.
Sunny Ade’s ambition was to play drums. He said that it was not in him to act. I felt that I should concentrate on acting and leave Sunny Ade to drumming and playing guitar. That was why I gave him my drum and musical instruments. No wonder King Sunny Ade respected him so much and was being referred to as his benefactor.
Born Moses Olaiya Adejumo in 1936 at Ilesha, present day Osun State; Baba Sala’s career spanned several decades- across theatre, comedy, television and film. He’s responsible for training young Sunday Adegeye and helping him become King Sunny Ade, today’s legendary juju musician. At the height of his career, Baba Sala was a household name in Nigeria, showing on the network service of the NTA on a weekly basis for several years.