A huge bronze statue of a smiling Franco Luambo Makiadi, a guitar strapped to his burly self, towers above Kinshasa; a fitting tribute to arguably the most significant cultural icons that Africa has ...

Analysis - FATE dealt music fans a cruel blow with the 1989 death of Franco Luambo Makiadi. He was one of the pace-setters of African jazz. In continuation to last week's feature on the life and times ...

This Saturday marks the 24th death anniversary of Congolese music legend Luambo Lwanzo Makiadi, popularly known as Franco. His ghost continues to hover over African music, an enduring testimony of his ...

Every facet of the life of the late Congolese and African music icon Luambo Makiadi, aka Franco, will be in the spotlight of special content on BBC Swahili marking the 20th anniversary of the artist's ...

Franco Luambo Makiadi had a brother, Bavon Marie Marie. The two brothers played guitar, composed songs and led bands. And, like they shared so much in common, so it was a woman – Marie-José Simplicie.

The king of Congolese rumba died 20 years ago at the age of 61, when he was still producing music. His influence lives on but his sound evokes a different era. Franco Luambo Makiadi's was instrumental ...

Every facet of the life of the late Congolese and African music icon Luambo Makiadi, aka Franco, will be in the spotlight of special content on BBC Swahili marking the 20th anniversary of the artist's ...