Andy Brown, the singer from Zimbabwe, died from an unknown ailment at Harare’s Parirenyatwa Hospital. Brown had been ill for a long time and got progressively worse, leading to his hospitalization on Thursday, March 15, 2012.

Andy Brown

Andy Brown had been famous for his song, ‘Mapurisa’, which he performed as a member of the Ilanga Band. Brown joined Ilanga Band in 1986 where he played lead guitar. The band released two albums (1987′s ‘Silver and Gold’, and 1988′s ‘Visions Untold’). At the 1988 Human Rights Concert in Harare, they shared the stage with Tracy Chapman, Bruce Springsteen, Peter Gabriel, the Bhundu Boys, and Youssou N’Dour.

Brown left the Ilanga Band in 1989 and formed Andy Brown and The Storm. His popularity diminished when he joined the political party, ZANU PF. As his outlook became increasingly political, his fan base dwindled. After a while he had very few fans left. His last performance was said to have been attended by 11 people.

Brown was previously married to Chiwoniso Maraire before their marriage collapsed 10 years ago. The two have a daughter named Ammara.