Timeless Tunes: Legendary African Bands of the 60s
Hello African Music Enthusiast,
Thank God It's Friday (TGIF)
Today, we are taking a trip down memory lane, exploring some of the musical bands that rocked the scene in the 60s, changed the African music landscape, and left their prints in the sands of time. Most of them broke the norms by blending traditional sounds with other musical influences to create unique and groundbreaking styles. In no particular order, let's take the roll call:
Super Eagles Band, Mali
The Super Eagles band from Mali started as a high school group and evolved into one of West Africa's most influential musical groups in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The Super Eagles band … continue readingThe Funkees, Nigeria
The Funkees was a Nigerian band formed in the 1960s and known for their unique blend of highlife, funk, and rock music. Shortly after the Nigerian civil war, the band members relocated to the United Kingdom and had their big break, and their fame spread … continue here
The Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou, Benin
The T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo band was from Contonu, Benin, known for their fusion of traditional African rhythms with funk and jazz influences.The band which was formed in 1968, was initially called Orchestre Poly-Disco, then Orchestre El Ritmo after a change of management and finally as … continue reading
The Flames, South Africa
The Flames are Known for their blend of rock and soul, they were one of the most popular bands in South Africa during the 60s. The group featured a young Johnny Clegg, who would later become famous as part of … continue here
OK Jazz (Orchestre Kinois Jazz), DRC
The “OK Jazz” was founded by the legendary guitarist and bandleader Franco Luambo Makiadi, OK Jazz was one of the most influential bands in Congolese music. Franco's innovative style and the band's rich, melodic sound helped shape the evolution of … read more
Dark City Sisters, South Africa
The Dark City Sisters were a popular and successful South African female vocal group formed in 1958 by music producer Rupert Bopape. They recorded several hit records during the 1960s, helping usher in the mbaqanga style of … read more
Orchestre Les Mangelepa
Although their peak came later, Les Mangelepa began to make their mark in the late 1960s. They are known for their distinctive style of music that blends Congolese rhythms with East African … continue reading
Did we miss out on any of your favorites? Visit the Library for more African musical bands.
Yours in African Music Always,
The Librarian