Madilu was one unlucky man. He has had injustice throughout his life. He was blamed for the break up of OK Jazz when the blames goes on Simaro for not being an effective leader. Madilu was clearly a big Tabu Ley and worse actually played for him and Tabu Ley never gave one shit about him leading Madilu to play for OK Jazz and even Madilu stated that himself. So sad. So many people were jealous of Madilu because he was a better singer and star than them.

Madilu was one unlucky man. He has had injustice throughout his life. He was blamed for the break up of OK Jazz when the blames goes on Simaro for not being an effective leader. Madilu was clearly a big Tabu Ley and worse actually played for him and Tabu Ley never gave one shit about him leading Madilu to play for OK Jazz and even Madilu stated that himself. So sad. So many people were jealous of Madilu because he was a better singer and star than them.

Maybe he was just too ambitious like most young men in a band full of older people. He wanted to carry on flying Franco's flag but he probably didn't do a good thing by wanting to be TPOK's President because he was not the only star in the band,maybe Josky remaining TPOK President would have made sense but the fact that Lutumba was Franco's right hand man all those years meant Lutumba was the rightful person to take over as band President deputised by Josky or Ndombe and Madilu as Chef d'orchestre maybe the band wouldn't have broken up but Madilu was too confident and had the backing of Franco's family and that was it, he basically undermined Lutumba and others although they remained friends.

Madilu was one unlucky man. He has had injustice throughout his life. He was blamed for the break up of OK Jazz when the blames goes on Simaro for not being an effective leader. Madilu was clearly a big Tabu Ley and worse actually played for him and Tabu Ley never gave one shit about him leading Madilu to play for OK Jazz and even Madilu stated that himself. So sad. So many people were jealous of Madilu because he was a better singer and star than them.

Maybe he was just too ambitious like most young men in a band full of older people. He wanted to carry on flying Franco's flag but he probably didn't do a good thing by wanting to be TPOK's President because he was not the only star in the band,maybe Josky remaining TPOK President would have made sense but the fact that Lutumba was Franco's right hand man all those years meant Lutumba was the rightful person to take over as band President deputised by Josky or Ndombe and Madilu as Chef d'orchestre maybe the band wouldn't have broken up but Madilu was too confident and had the backing of Franco's family and that was it, he basically undermined Lutumba and others although they remained friends.

Are you not off base. But that goes on Lutumba. You are likely right which again means the fault goes on Lutumba. Simaro allowed Josky and Madilu to even entertain the idea of being the leader. Simaro should be stern and let everyone know that the man was him but he did not as the result Madilu and Josky felt that they could be leaders. Madilu was clearly in the Luambo camp all along. In fact Madilu and Franco had such a good relationship that the family adored Madilu. Madilu had great confidence and it certainly further a already drama filled band that was OK Jazz.

Regardless, Madilu was feared by others including Tabu Ley which is the reason why no one took him seriously. They were jealous because Madilu had a more powerful voice. In fact he was more superior in the baritone than Pepe Kalle. In fact Madilu and Pepe Kalle's friendship might have costed the OK Jazz. Some people say that Pepe Kalle and Madilu were good friends and made some music during the early 1990s (don't know if we will ever know) but some say that was one source of the end of OK Jazz.

FPK,I followed the Madilu and TPOK story keenly back in the days that's why I concluded Madilu was too ambitious and probably disrespectful to the elders he found at TPOK, he found most of them there. When it comes to vocals, yes,Madilu had an exceptional voice but so did  Josky who had actually been in the band longer than Madilu and by the time TPOK was ceased, Josky had more vocals in TPOK songs than Madilu.

On Pepe Kalle and Madilu, they were good friends infact Pepe Kalle liked Madilu's style and voice, if I remember well, I read that Pepe gave Madilu about $500 to kickstart his solo career and I remember very well seeing the two of them live on stage in the main arena at the Zambia International Trade Fair in the 80's,they came together to two consecutive trade fairs, Madilu did a few songs on his own backed by Empire Bakuba.

FPK,I followed the Madilu and TPOK story keenly back in the days that's why I concluded Madilu was too ambitious and probably disrespectful to the elders he found at TPOK, he found most of them there. When it comes to vocals, yes,Madilu had an exceptional voice but so did  Josky who had actually been in the band longer than Madilu and by the time TPOK was ceased, Josky had more vocals in TPOK songs than Madilu.

On Pepe Kalle and Madilu, they were good friends infact Pepe Kalle liked Madilu's style and voice, if I remember well, I read that Pepe gave Madilu about £500 to kickstart his solo career and I remember very well seeing the two of them live on stage in the main arena at the Zambia International Trade Fair in the 80's,they came together to two consecutive trade fairs, Madilu did a few songs on his own backed by Empire Bakuba.

Actually you make some great points. Madilu made a song with Empire Bakuba sans Pepe Kalle but it was said that Pepe Kalle and Madilu made actual studio songs together. But who knows. We will probably never know. That is life.

About Madilu being arrogant, there is definitive truth to that. Back in 2003 with Afro Pop, Madilu made some indirect accusations that Josky and Simaro were just puppets and even accused them of not respecting Franco at all. Ouch. Madilu accused them of using Franco for their own glory. Quite some accusations.

FPK,i can't recall hearing anything about the Madilu/Pepe song, the only collaborations I have heard of Madilu were with the usual like Nyboma, Josky and others like Debaba, Wazekwa and I also know he's worked with Zaiko. Maybe he did work with Pepe,am not sure.

Looking at how things went,we can only be glad that Madilu made up with Papa Lutumba,Josky and others, they were never enemies.

FPK,i can't recall hearing anything about the Madilu/Pepe song, the only collaborations I have heard of Madilu were with the usual like Nyboma, Josky and others like Debaba, Wazekwa and I also know he's worked with Zaiko. Maybe he did work with Pepe,am not sure.

Looking at how things went,we can only be glad that Madilu made up with Papa Lutumba,Josky and others, they were never enemies.

You are right. But clearly their relationship was never the same.