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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZKEMAYO, Elvis(b '49, Cameroon) Singer, composer, producer, arranger. Joined first band Negro Fiesta as vocalist and guitarist at 18; left for Paris '72, stayed for five years, studying music and touring Europe; performed with Manu Dibango at Paris Olympia '77, released singles and first LP Africs L'An 2000 on Fiesta label. Moved to Gabon late '70s, became art director at Gabon TV, also following up first LP with Paradise Noir '81. A sought-after producer and arranger, he helped 15-piece Soukous band Les Diablotins become one of Africa's top outfits, producing seven LPs for them '81-3 incl. Weekend á Libreville and Africa No. 1, a tribute to Gabon's radio station. His own 10ieme Anniversaire '84 was a best-selling dance album, a collection of the year's most popular Makossa tunes featuring such session musicians as Toto Guillaume and Alhadji Toure. Reunited with Diablotins for their 2-disc Diablotins '85. |