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Remembering Congo's rumba king Remembering Congo's rumba king
(9 minutes later)
By Noel Mwakugu BBC News, KinshasaBy Noel Mwakugu BBC News, Kinshasa
When Franco Luambo Makiadi died 20 years ago, the whole of Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (then Zaire), stood still.When Franco Luambo Makiadi died 20 years ago, the whole of Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (then Zaire), stood still.
I remember he even made one [guitar] out of a tin and strings Franco's aunt Elizabeth MasakaI remember he even made one [guitar] out of a tin and strings Franco's aunt Elizabeth Masaka
The death of the undisputed king of rumba was a shock to millions of people not just in his home country, but across Africa.The death of the undisputed king of rumba was a shock to millions of people not just in his home country, but across Africa.
In his 40-year music career, Franco, as he was commonly known, had more than 100 albums and about a thousand songs to his name.In his 40-year music career, Franco, as he was commonly known, had more than 100 albums and about a thousand songs to his name.
His style of music, a blend of Cuban rumba and authentic Congolese rhythms, wowed both the old and young. His influence can still be heard in Congolese music, which remains popular in nightclubs all over the continent.His style of music, a blend of Cuban rumba and authentic Congolese rhythms, wowed both the old and young. His influence can still be heard in Congolese music, which remains popular in nightclubs all over the continent.
Most of his hits were done in the 1970s but they still get a lot of airplay on Africa's radio stations - and in East Africa most FM stations have dedicated weekly or daily programmes to rumba, thanks to Franco.Most of his hits were done in the 1970s but they still get a lot of airplay on Africa's radio stations - and in East Africa most FM stations have dedicated weekly or daily programmes to rumba, thanks to Franco.
His aunt Elizabeth Masaka, who in her 90s still lives in his home village of Sona Bata in western DR Congo, says from a tender age Franco showed all the signs that he would become a musician.His aunt Elizabeth Masaka, who in her 90s still lives in his home village of Sona Bata in western DR Congo, says from a tender age Franco showed all the signs that he would become a musician.
"As he was growing up he loved playing the guitar very much. I remember he even made one out of a tin and strings - he would carry it along to school and the market where he would entertain his friends," she told the BBC."As he was growing up he loved playing the guitar very much. I remember he even made one out of a tin and strings - he would carry it along to school and the market where he would entertain his friends," she told the BBC.
"I knew he would be a great musician.""I knew he would be a great musician."
School drop-outSchool drop-out
When he moved with his parents to Kinshasa, the young Franco seemed to have already made up his mind to scale the musical heights.When he moved with his parents to Kinshasa, the young Franco seemed to have already made up his mind to scale the musical heights.
I think he sang about what was happening in Kinshasa and at that time no musician was bold enough to do that Franco's first wife Pauline Laumbo In pictures: Congo musicianI think he sang about what was happening in Kinshasa and at that time no musician was bold enough to do that Franco's first wife Pauline Laumbo In pictures: Congo musician
"Franco did not have interest in school so he joined a popular traditional music group - the group leader Papa Dewayu taught him to play the guitar and also compose music," his younger sister Marie Jane remembers."Franco did not have interest in school so he joined a popular traditional music group - the group leader Papa Dewayu taught him to play the guitar and also compose music," his younger sister Marie Jane remembers.
"He later dropped out [of school at 12] and settled for music," she says."He later dropped out [of school at 12] and settled for music," she says.
Franco was inspired by musicians like Henri Bowane, Antoine Wendo and Kalle Kabasele who were big stars in Kinshasa in the 1940s.Franco was inspired by musicians like Henri Bowane, Antoine Wendo and Kalle Kabasele who were big stars in Kinshasa in the 1940s.
He joined their group and perfected his guitar-playing skills. In the 1950s, he became the band leader, renaming the ensemble the TP OK Jazz after the OK Bar where they played.He joined their group and perfected his guitar-playing skills. In the 1950s, he became the band leader, renaming the ensemble the TP OK Jazz after the OK Bar where they played.
However "the Sorcerer of the Guitar", as his fans nicknamed him, was not always popular with the authorities, especially after his hit Luvumbu Ndoki (The Wizard Who Kills People), a veiled reference to Zaire's former leader Mobutu Sese Seko.However "the Sorcerer of the Guitar", as his fans nicknamed him, was not always popular with the authorities, especially after his hit Luvumbu Ndoki (The Wizard Who Kills People), a veiled reference to Zaire's former leader Mobutu Sese Seko.
JailJail
But it was laws banning pornography that landed him and some of his band members in jail in 1979 for the sexually explicit lyrics of the songs Helene, Jacky and Francois.But it was laws banning pornography that landed him and some of his band members in jail in 1979 for the sexually explicit lyrics of the songs Helene, Jacky and Francois.
Franco still influences young Congolese musiciansFranco still influences young Congolese musicians
His first wife Pauline Laumbo says his fearlessness added to his popularity.His first wife Pauline Laumbo says his fearlessness added to his popularity.
"It is difficult to say only one thing inspired him to compose, but he was a social commentator. I think he sang about what was happening in Kinshasa and at that time no musician was bold enough to do that. His style was different.""It is difficult to say only one thing inspired him to compose, but he was a social commentator. I think he sang about what was happening in Kinshasa and at that time no musician was bold enough to do that. His style was different."
In the few interviews that Franco gave to the media he denied using his songs to attack influential politicians or corrupt businessmen; however his outspokenness did force him into exile in Belgium.In the few interviews that Franco gave to the media he denied using his songs to attack influential politicians or corrupt businessmen; however his outspokenness did force him into exile in Belgium.
This turned out to be a blessing as, from his base in Brussels, he released the track Mario - which propelled him to international fame.This turned out to be a blessing as, from his base in Brussels, he released the track Mario - which propelled him to international fame.
The song criticises a lazy young man who earned his living having affairs with wealthy older women.The song criticises a lazy young man who earned his living having affairs with wealthy older women.
MausoleumMausoleum
Other songs that gave Franco and the TP OK Jazz Band a ticket to tour the world were Mamou and Tres Impoli.Other songs that gave Franco and the TP OK Jazz Band a ticket to tour the world were Mamou and Tres Impoli.
He is our Picasso Broadcaster Biyevanga LengemiHe is our Picasso Broadcaster Biyevanga Lengemi
The Congolese still fondly remember their legend and one cannot fail to hear his songs belting from bars and sound systems in the capital.The Congolese still fondly remember their legend and one cannot fail to hear his songs belting from bars and sound systems in the capital.
"He is our Picasso,'' says veteran Congolese broadcaster Biyevanga Lengemi."He is our Picasso,'' says veteran Congolese broadcaster Biyevanga Lengemi.
Yet despite his continuing fame, his family feels the authorities in Kinshasa have not commemorated him properly.Yet despite his continuing fame, his family feels the authorities in Kinshasa have not commemorated him properly.
His only son, Emongo Luambo, says the family plans to exhume his body from the public cemetery in Kinshasa where he was buried after his death in Belgium.His only son, Emongo Luambo, says the family plans to exhume his body from the public cemetery in Kinshasa where he was buried after his death in Belgium.
The club Un Deux Trois where Franco usually performed is still a popular venueThe club Un Deux Trois where Franco usually performed is still a popular venue
"We want to build a mausoleum in Sona Bata where his fans can pay him proper homage and even the youth in Congo can learn more about him," he said."We want to build a mausoleum in Sona Bata where his fans can pay him proper homage and even the youth in Congo can learn more about him," he said.
Marie Jose Jibambuyi, known by her stage name MJTrente, says upcoming Congolese musicians are still influenced by the "Guitar Sorcerer".Marie Jose Jibambuyi, known by her stage name MJTrente, says upcoming Congolese musicians are still influenced by the "Guitar Sorcerer".
She was just a toddler when Franco was at his most famous.She was just a toddler when Franco was at his most famous.
"I believe apart from entertaining, music should also play a role in educating the masses," she says."I believe apart from entertaining, music should also play a role in educating the masses," she says.
"Franco did that and I borrow a lot from him. I do not only sing about love, I also sing about social issues, thanks to Franco.""Franco did that and I borrow a lot from him. I do not only sing about love, I also sing about social issues, thanks to Franco."
What do you remember of Congo's rumba king? Send us your memories, using the postform below.What do you remember of Congo's rumba king? Send us your memories, using the postform below.
Franco will never be forgotten in Southern Sudan; Mamou and Mario are some his best hits which will always remain in our homes forever. We shall all time be his fans.Andy Murusal, Khartoum, SudanFranco will never be forgotten in Southern Sudan; Mamou and Mario are some his best hits which will always remain in our homes forever. We shall all time be his fans.Andy Murusal, Khartoum, Sudan
When i hear african music i always remember Franco he is the ultimate musician. i was introduced to franco's music by way of Colombia university radio program Afro Pop in new york city. I think some one must start to build a musical museum in his honour. i will be the first to contribute in his honour. Because music is against war.micheal alazar, eritreaWhen i hear african music i always remember Franco he is the ultimate musician. i was introduced to franco's music by way of Colombia university radio program Afro Pop in new york city. I think some one must start to build a musical museum in his honour. i will be the first to contribute in his honour. Because music is against war.micheal alazar, eritrea
When I read this tribute I am shocked to realise indeed it now 20 years since the passing away of Luambo Luanzo Makiadi, popularily known as Franco. My laptop is full of his songs. The songs are as new as as when they were played, so good as though life never can come to an end. The name T.P. OK Jazz were the same thing. The music was and remains unique. Rumba dance and Franco's music made many couples marry. Franco's music is for the soul and rumba dance is for the preservation of the human spirit. Oh Franco!, He lives and lives, and for ever he will live. Eresu John, Kaberamaido, UgandaWhen I read this tribute I am shocked to realise indeed it now 20 years since the passing away of Luambo Luanzo Makiadi, popularily known as Franco. My laptop is full of his songs. The songs are as new as as when they were played, so good as though life never can come to an end. The name T.P. OK Jazz were the same thing. The music was and remains unique. Rumba dance and Franco's music made many couples marry. Franco's music is for the soul and rumba dance is for the preservation of the human spirit. Oh Franco!, He lives and lives, and for ever he will live. Eresu John, Kaberamaido, Uganda
Franco played most of his music when I was still young. I used to listen to his music on our National Hi-Fi radio. But when I grew up I loved his music and bought many of his audio tapes. Just like Lucky Dube, he left an indelible contribution on the music scene. His music with Sam Mangwana still make my days. I miss him.J G Okello Mang'oli, Busia, UgandaFranco played most of his music when I was still young. I used to listen to his music on our National Hi-Fi radio. But when I grew up I loved his music and bought many of his audio tapes. Just like Lucky Dube, he left an indelible contribution on the music scene. His music with Sam Mangwana still make my days. I miss him.J G Okello Mang'oli, Busia, Uganda
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