Iconic Makossa maestro, Manu Dibango is dead as a result of contacting the deadly Coronavirus. The 86-year-old Cameroonian, best known for the 1972 hit “Soul Makossa”, has become one of the first global stars to die as a result of COVID-19.
According to his music publisher Thierry Durepaire Dibango”…died early this morning in a hospital in the Paris region.”
Dibango arrived in Marseilles in 1949 as a teenager and was made Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur in 2010.
He maintained his energy and love for live performance that defined his 60-year career with a 2019 tour with Symphonic Safari, mixing jazz and classical music.
Pioneer
A message on his official Facebook page confirmed that his death had come after he contracted COVID-19.
“His funeral service will be held in strict privacy, and a tribute to his memory will be organized when possible,” the message said.
The saxophonist was one of the pioneers of Afro jazz and also fused funk with traditional Cameroonian music.
In 2009, he accused Michael Jackson of borrowing one of his hooks for two songs on the legendary “Thriller” album.
Jackson settled out of court.
Source: FRANCE 24 with AFP
