Franco (b. L'Okanga La Ndju Pene Luambo Makiadi, Sona-Bata, Zaire, 1938-1989).
Singer, composer, guitarist and bandleader, Franco was beyond doubt Africa's most popular and influential musician. A legend in his own lifetime, he led TPOK Jazz for over 30 years releasing hundreds of 45 rpms and well over 100 LPs.
His career started at the age of 12 when he joined his first 'master', Ebengo Dewayon, as solo guitarist in the group Watam. In 1953 he recorded for the first time with Watam making his first solo record 'Bolingo Na Ngai Na Beatrice' on the Loningisa label. This recording made him a celebrity in Kinshasa and he was persuaded by his growing popularity to perform at live shows.
Two years later, on 6 June 1956, OK Jazz was born - a ten-piece rumba outfit led by Franco, De La Lune and Essous. In 1957 the band moved temporarily to Brazzaville, returning to Kinshasa the following year. However, on his return, Franco fell foul of the law and was sentenced to jail for a motoring offence. On his release, Franco quickly re-established his reputation as 'The Sorcerer of the Guitar'. Indeed, so influential was his guitar playing that by the end of the decade two distinct schools of guitar playing had emerged, one led by Franco and the other by Dr Nico of African Jazz. Many early works by Franco are still available on the series of compilations entitled Authenticite'.
Throughout the 1960s Franco and OK Jazz toured regularly and recorded prolifically, maintaining a clear musical direction despite numerous changes in personnel. Indeed, a list of OK Jazz graduates reads like a Who's Who of Zairean music and would include Vicky, Sam Mangwana, Youlou Mabiala, Wuta May, Mose Se Sengo (Fan Fan) Josky, Michelino, Dalienst, Essous, Papa Noel Mayaula and so on. In 1976 Franco celebrated two decades at the top with the double album 20th Anniversaire. By this time, the band could fill dance halls anywhere in Africa and proved the point with a 1978 African tour. By this time OK Jazz had grown to a 23-piece orchestra featuring four horns, four guitars, bass, percussion and a bevy of frontline vocalists. The sound of this magnificent orchestra in full flight can perhaps best be appreciated on the 1980 double album 24th Anniversaire.
As a social satirist and commentator of the highest order, Franco has occasionally run into trouble with his lyrics, most notably in 1978 when he was imprisoned for two months for his songs 'Helene' and 'Jackie'. However, later the same year he was decorated by President Mobutu for his contribution to the development of Zaire's musical heritage. Two years later, he received the highest accolade of all when he was dubbed 'Le Grand Maitre' of Zairean music, only the second musician to be so honoured. Franco entered the 1980s at the peak of his powers, astounding new fans with his power and eloquence while retaining the fanatical following built up during the previous quarter of a century. In 1980 he established his own record labels - Edipop, CHOC and Le Passeport under the umbrella of his holding company, African Sun Music. He also began to spend more time in Brussels, although rumours of his exile from Zaire were exaggerated. In 1983 he made an attempt to crack the international market with tours of Europe and the USA. He also established a second band to support him on his international travels. Now on the verge of a major international breakthrough, a multimillionaire and owner of a hotel-nightclub in Kinshasa, Franco is the epitome of a successful African musician. He has been described as 'The Balzac of African music' and intends to continue playing beyond the year 2,000. The full story of his career is told by G. Ewens in Luambo Makiadi and 30 Years of OK Jazz.So far what can be found in: Stern's Guide to Contemporary African Music vol. 1 & 2 by Ronnie Graham
More recently his life has been described in a more complete and expanded work "Congo Colossus - The Life and Legacy of Franco & OK JAZZ" also by Graeme Ewens.
