Singer George ‘Fiji’ Viekoso dead at 55
Iconic Fijian singer George ‘Fiji’ Viekoso has died at the age of 55, it has been confirmed.
According to Hawaii News Now, Viekoso died on July 23rd in his native Fiji, surrounded by his family and loved ones. Additionally, the Polynesian Music Network announced Veikoso’s death with “heavy hearts” in a statement published on Facebook.
“He was a movement, a voice for the people, a light in the dark,” they continued. The emotional message added, “There was, and always will be, only one Fiji. His music wasn’t just something we listened to.”
In 1987, Veikoso left Fiji behind due to the Fijian coups d’état and started a new life in Hawaii, which is where his musical career got underway. His debut album, Evolution, arrived in 1994, and two years later, his next record, Born and Raised, helped increase his popularity to new heights.
Veikoso was celebrated at the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards for ‘Male Vocalist’ and ‘Favorite Entertainer of the Year’ in 1998. He also won several Pacific Music Awards during his illustrious career, which made him a local hero.
Outside of those from the Pacific Islands, Veikoso was best known for co-writing the theme song for the television series Baywatch Hawaii, which ran for two years between 1999 and 2001. Additionally, he appeared alongside Kate Bosworth, Sanoe Lake, and Michelle Rodriguez in the 2002 movie Blue Crush.
Last year, he held the first Fiji Homecoming event, which provided a huge boost to the local economy and was set to host the second edition of the festival at King Charles Park on the island in September.
Reflecting on his career in 2015 with the Huff Post, Veikoso said: “My music is based on real life experiences. The first thing I had to learn was how to accept who I am. As an artist, we all had dreams to be like Luther Vandross or Stevie Wonder. I had like a burden on my shoulder that wouldn’t go away. It was like every opportunity that I could have had, didn’t happen. I mean I’m a very stubborn person but I also had to read the signs and really, I read them signs.”
No cause of death has been revealed.
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