Late Fatai Olagunju was born in Lagos on July 22, 1926; his father was a native of Ede, Osun State. He started his musical career in 1946 after working across African countries.
Fatai rolling Dollar formed a music group after he was sacked at the Nigerian Railway Corporation. J.O. Araba was the band leader and money issue led to a break up and everyone went his own.
Chief Ebenezer Obey joined Fatai Rolling Dollar at the age of 16 to learn how to play the guitar. Obey's duties were to set up instruments and pack them after every performance at a show. Obey later played the 'maracas' for Fatai's band.
Eventually, Obey left with the six members of the band to form his own band, and he renamed it as Fatai Rolling dollar and his new Millennium Band.
King Sunny Ade also benefited from Fatai Rolling Dollars' musical knowledge. Fatai Rolling Dollar wrote some songs for Obey and Sunny Ade, such as "EASY MOTION TOURIST"
Fatai got his nickname during his secondary school days; when he had ability to roll silver dollar to choose sides for football teams.
Fatai rolling Dollar decided to start a musical instruments rental service near Kalakuta republic owned by Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. Unfortunately, the soldiers invasion and fire inferno destroyed the place; thereby had devastating effects on the means of livelihood which he had invested on. He relocated to a room in "face me I face you" house where he lost his 5 children and wife to illness within 3 months.
Rolling Dollar found a security job at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere Lagos and he remained in abject povert for over 25 years until when Bola Tinubu became the Governor of Lagos State and changed his life. He financed his music career and provided him shelter.
He again stormed the music scene and released hit song " WON KERE SI NUMBER WA"
He took the Nigerian music industry by surprise as he stormed back with the hit song which turned to the anthem of old and young ones.
His eternal departure started when he was on stage in America, he collapsed after the third show while he complained of Chest pain....and He did not go through any protracted illness, According to the Manager, Kunle Tejuosho who produced "WON KERE SI NUMBER WA" but he was reportedly to have died of cancer at the age of 86 on June 12, 2013.
He is survived by 16 Children and three wives.
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