However, Rolling Dollar lived a fulfilled life, rising like phoenix from the ashes of his past slump to doing shows all over the world till he died -he only just returned from an American tour and was to proceed on another to Germany had he lived till the end of the month.
President Goodluck Jonathan leads other Nigerians in pouring out eulogies on the veteran artiste while mourning his passing.
President Goodluck Jonathan
According to a press statement signed by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Reuben Abati, “President Jonathan shares the grief of all lovers of music over the death of the illustrious entertainer, master singer, guitarist and exponent of the native thumb piano who continued to perform and exhibit his unqualified love for the music profession at an age when most of his contemporaries had long retired. The President believes the vacuum his death has created in the Nigerian entertainment industry will be hard to fill.
Governor Babatunde Fashola
In a condolence letter to Mrs Funmilayo Olagunju, widow of the late musician, Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) of Lagos State has said he was a first rate guitarist under whose tutelage several other musical legends learnt to play the instrument. ‘’Your husband was a musical innovator who made a great contribution to the profile of Nigerian Highlife music on the global stage,’’ he said.
According to the Governor, Rolling Dollar is assured of his place amongst the pantheon of Nigerian musical greats with hits like ‘Won Kere si Number Wa’ and ‘Saworo’ enduring in the memory of generations to come.
Ebenezer Obey
Veteran juju musician
We have lost a very talented musician. He was my boss and friend. By his death, Nigeria has lost one of her greatest artistes. We thank God that he died while he was 86 years old. May his soul rest in perfect peace.
Joseph Odebeatu
Entertainment expert and O’Jez boss
It is sad news for us. Even when he took ill, everyone was apprehensive. He played regularly here on Fridays; O’jez was his place. We will surely miss him, because he was a rare breed.
Tony Okoroji
Chairman, Copyright Society of Nigeria, COSON
He was a legend, a fantastic person with a very positive attitude to life who treated everyone with courtesy. He will be missed by a lot of people whom he inspired; COSON will ensure that Fatai Rolling Dollar is immortalised.
Femi Odugbemi
Documentary film maker and producer of Rolling Dollar: A Legend Unplugged, 2013
You have people like that who come along once in a while in a generation. A lot of people will like to remember him for his comeback, the fact that he bestrode the landscape for almost 60 years, disappeared for almost 20 years of that and then came back to take over. His music appealed to many different generations. He was a man of passion; he worked hard to get every single thing that he got.
Ade Bantu
Contemporary musician and one of the last artistes to see Fatai alive
He was an easy going man, very playful and wise. He was a custodian of music and one of those few people that you could actually engage. He is that kind of musician that was very creative. It’s a massive loss to music, we have lost a library. But there is no way an 86-year-old man dies and you call it a tragedy.
Yeni Kuti
Dancer and daughter of Fela Anikulapo Kuti
His death is a very big shock. It came to Femi and I this morning (yesterday) with big sadness, in fact, Femi has not recovered from it. I remember him as a vibrant and very happy man. I can’t believe he is dead because the last time I saw him, he was still very active. He would jump off the stage like a man half his age. So I am really shocked, nobody can replace him.
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