Some bands define a generation and leave a lasting mark, becoming anthems for their time. The Beatles, a renowned group from the 1960s to the late 1980s, hold the record for 180 million certified album sales. This band of twenty-somethings from Liverpool started their career in Hamburg nightclubs, with humble beginnings that gave no hint of their future greatness. John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison became global icons, achieving unparalleled fame and success. Few bands can match their legacy.

Other legendary rock bands, such as The Bee Gees, Scorpions, and Nirvana, also shaped musical history. In a different genre, UB40, a reggae band from Birmingham, stood out. Despite reggae being dominated by Jamaican artists, UB40, led by Ali Campbell, brought their unique style to the genre. Growing up in a Caribbean immigrant neighbourhood, reggae was all they knew. Ali Campbell recalled that he and his brother did not discover other genres until high school. The band’s name came from the UK’s unemployment benefit form number 40, and their music defined my high school years in the early 1990s. UB40 were my favourite especially with their hit albums ‘’Labour of Love II’’ and ‘’Promises and Lies’’ which make me nostalgic for my high school days.

Seeing legendary bassist Giovanni Rico and keyboardist Dawit Yifru at the Africa Jazz Club transported me to the 1980s. During my childhood, the Roha Band dominated Ethiopian music. Well-dressed and highly skilled, they were ever-present on black-and-white TV screens, creating a soundtrack for a generation. Giovanni and Dawit, along with Selam Seyoum, Fekadu Amde Meskel, Ashenafi Awel, Yonas Degife, and Tekle Tesfagzi, were the core of this legendary group.

Roha’s impact went beyond music. They set a high standard of performance, technical skill, and discipline. Giovanni recalled how the band followed a strict code of conduct, covering dress, schedules, and work ethics. This discipline allowed members to balance rigorous schedules, including international tours, studio recordings, and university studies. Despite disbanding in the mid-1990s, Roha left behind a treasure trove of timeless music that continues to inspire.

Collaborating with Roha was a milestone for vocalists of the time. Icons like Ephrem Tamiru, Kuku Sebsibe, Tsehaye Yohannes, and Neway Debebe emerged during Roha's peak, creating groundbreaking music. Veterans like Mahmoud Ahmed and Hirut Bekele also collaborated with the band on memorable albums and music clips, many recorded at Ethiopia’s sole TV station, ETV.

Roha’s music was the highlight of ETV’s popular variety show, “Hibret Tir’it.” The show, a mix of music, drama, and comedy, was eagerly awaited by families across Ethiopia. Everyone, including household staff, would gather to watch. It was a golden era when Roha’s music dominated albums, TV clips, and radio shows, setting an unmatchable standard.