Veteran octogenarian musician, Pa Fatai Olayiwola Olagunju, popularly known as Fatai Rolling Dollar, is dead.
He died this morning at Marritol Hospital in Surulere, Lagos, after a brief illness.
The news of his demise was confirmed to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) this morning by one of his wives, Sherifat.
Rolling Dollar was reportedly on a musical tour of the U.S. when he took ill and had to return home.
He was admitted initially at Ahmadiya Hospital in Alagbado area of Lagos before being transferred to Marritol about two weeks ago.
A close friend of the deceased, musician and MTN Project Fame judge, Ade Bantu, said Rolling Dollar had been down with breathing problems and other issues before his death.
Bantu, whose real name is Adegoke Odukoya, told NAN that he was on his way to Surulere to visit the late Rolling Dollar when one of the wives informed him of the death.
“It is very sad news to me because we were recording a song together for my new album.
“He was very lively and happy the last time we were in the studio in March before he commenced his tour of the U.S.,” Bantu said.
Rolling Dollar was born to the royal family of Olagunju in Ede, Osun, on July 22, 1926.
He started his musical career in 1953 and had mentored other great musicians like Evangelist Ebenezer Obey and the late Orlando Owoh, among others.
He was known for his dexterity at playing the guitar and his last major hit was “Won Kere Si Number Wa’’.
Rolling Dollar, who had three wives and 16 children, died as the oldest surviving music artiste in Nigeria.
