Musicians and music promoters flocked to Chileka International Airport Tuesday afternoon to welcome remains of veteran musician Lucius Banda who stood taller in the music industry.

Banda died on Sunday at Sunninghill Hospital in South Africa.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA), Mlaka Maliro, one of the artists who worked with the late Banda, said that they were like a family as they both come from Balaka and Banda helped him in the early days of his career.

“My first album to release, Maloto, was with Zembani Band which was one of bestselling albums,” he said, adding that Banda’s death was very painful and hard to forget,” he said.

Another artist who was working with Banda, Nepman, expressed sadness saying the music industry has lost a father figure and a leader.

“I learnt a lot from him as he was advising us about music and was willing to help upcoming artists,” he said.

One of the Zembani Band members, Santa Marie Jabesi, said Banda’s death is a great loss to the music and entertainment industry.

“Sometimes we even forgot that he was our boss because he treated us as his own children and we are going to miss his leadership,” he said.

Other well-known artists who were present at Chileka Airport included Wycliff Chimwendo, Dan Lu, Lulu, Sam Smack, Wikise, Black Nina, Physix, Lashley,

Notable figures from entertainment circles that come to welcome the body of Soldier were music promotor Jai Banda, music producer Taps Bandawe and renowned poet Q Malewezi among others.

Banda, who started music when he was young with his brother Paul, released 20 albums to his name. His first album titled Son of a Poor Man was released in 1997 when he was still with Allelujah Banda.

He was the founder of Zembani Band and mentored many artists including Lulu, Dan Lu, Mlaka Maliro and Nepman.

After leaving Chileka Airport the remains of Lucius Banda went straight to College of Medicine before leaving for Balaka for burial on Thursday.