DEATH OF SYD KITCHEN

South African music legend, guitarist Syd Kitchen passed away on March 22 at the Hospice in Durban. A short while ago, he was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer and the late stage at which diagnosis took place left little room for treatment except to manage his pain and discomfit. Mercifully, he was spared too much suffering.

The Durban World Music Festival due to take place between March 27 and April 3 at New Beach on the Durban Golden Mile will be dedicated to his memory. Event organisers confirmed that participants billed in the event had universally agreed that Kitchen would be remembered at the concert.

Organiser Nirode Bramdaw said Kitchen's passing had been taken particularly badly by the music community and they felt that this would be an apt gesture. “Kitchen was originally scheduled to feature on the Legends Concert programme together with his long-time accompanying partner, Madala Kunene. Kunene will still go on ahead of the Flames who will be the headline act on Sunday,” he said. “Kunene will be joined by Rob Warren, Aiden Hinds and other musicians, who will be performing Kitchen's songs. It is rather apt that we pay tribute to Kitchen at the Legends Concert as he was a living legend himself. He was a much-loved, humble and selfless human being, who helped and taught many local guitarists.

“Even though his music didn't receive the airplay it deserved, his discs would be found at most homes,” said Bramdaw. “He will leave a huge void in the musical community in Durban.”

More tributes to follow.