Francois Luambo Luanzo Makiadi, popularly known as Franco, was one of the greatest African musicians to come out of the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly known as Zaire under the late President Mobutu Sese Seku Waza Banga).
Here is a biography of the man from the Wikipedia website:
François Luambo Luanzo Makiadi (6 July 1938 – 12 October 1989) was a major figure in twentieth century Congolese music, and African music in general. He is widely referred to as Franco Luambo or, simply, Franco. Known for his mastery of rumba, he was nicknamed the "Sorcerer of the Guitar" for his seemingly effortlessly fluid playing. As a founder of the seminal group OK Jazz, he is counted as one of the originators of the modern Congolese sound.
Formative years
He was born in 1938. His mother had a market stall in Ngiri-Ngiri, and he played harmonica and other instruments to help attract customers.
In 1955 Franco formed a band that debuted in the OK Bar. The following year the band was renamed OK Jazz in honour of the place it had begun.
In 1958, Franco was jailed for a motoring offense, but by then had already become a star in Léopoldville and crowds of fans enthusiastically greeted the release of their rebel anti-hero. This was a time of growing national confidence and Congo was moving towards the independence that would come in 1960. Despite violence and instability accompanying the transition to independence, Leopoldville grew with migrants from the countryside and its nightlife continued to thrive.In 1960 Longomba left OK Jazz, leaving Franco as undisputed leader, of an enlarged band.
In 1980, Franco was named a Grand Master of Zairean music by the government, an honor that linked him with the ruling elite that was responsible for much of the economic problems beggaring the country. The subject of his songs shifted dramatically in this period to patriotic songs and praise songs to wealthy fans.
Franco only toured the USA on one occasion, in 1983.
In 1985, Franco released his biggest hit ever, Mario, an account of a gigolo who lives off of his older lovers.
He died in 1989, resulting in four days of national mourning in Zaire.
Here is Franco in Utrecht, the Netherlands, in 1987:
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