Nigerian multi-instrumentalist, bandleader, composer, political activist, and Pan-Africanist (1938-1997) who is regarded as the pioneer of Afrobeat. At the height of his popularity, he was referred to as one of Africa's most 'challenging and charismatic music performers,' and has been described as 'a musical and sociopolitical voice of international significance.' Extremely rare Fela's London Scene album by Fela Kuti, who has signed the front cover in blue ballpoint. In fine condition. The record is included.
Accompanied by a letter of provenance from the original recipient: "I saw & met Fela Anekulapo Kuti on November 13, 1986 at the Riviera Theater in Chicago. He played an intro plus two hour long songs & we thought the show was over but they announced if you like the show the second part will start in a while. I had brought about ten LPs to get signed if I could find a way to meet Fela. He came back out with his face painted & wearing a loin cloth & a chain for a strap on his sax.
Another two songs & place is still packed, I was up front, after the x-tremely awesome concert I slowly made my way backstage waiting & bribing my way past each security checkpoint. Someone from the band checked my bag of records & was told not to show Fela certain one's and was left with 4 LPs that were ok! I was suddenly in Fela's inner sanctum with wives & dancers & Fela lying back in his seat told me to sit down while he looked at the albums. We talked as I filled a bowl & we had a smoke together! Fela signed the LPs & was thrilled to hear I went on a march in Amsterdam to FREE FELA NOW that was in August 1985. Wrote letters to Minister of Lagos as well. Here I was, his second show since being released from prison (a miracle) and I was with his group including a young Femi. So Fela's London Scene was one LP that got signed & revered in my collection ever since."
Highly engaged in political activism in Africa from the 1970s until his death, Kuti was arrested on over 200 different occasions and spent time in jail, including his longest stint of 20 months after his arrest in 1984, when Muhammadu Buhari's Nigerian government, of which Kuti was a vocal opponent, jailed him on a charge of currency smuggling. Amnesty International denounced the charges as politically motivated and designated him a prisoner of conscience, with other human rights groups also taking up his case. General Ibrahim Babangida released him from prison after more than a year and a half. Anything signed by Fela Kuti, never mind an early album cover with ideal cover art, is exceedingly rare and sought after; this being the first Kuti autograph we have offered.
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