LET THE MUSIC HIT YOU AND YOU WILL FEEL NO PAIN!
Geraldo Pino.
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| At The Barbican In 20008 Charles Curtis Thomas Writing in the Facebook Group: WHEN THE MUSIC HIT YOU, YOU FEEL NO PAIN, SO HIT ME WITH MUSIC. |
Geraldo Pino. A playboy bandleader and singer, he helped shape African music The Guardian, Wednesday 14 January 2009. |
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| Giraldo Pino performing at the Barbican in 2008 |
When he appeared at the Barbican in London last May, the singer, guitarist and bandleader Geraldo
Pino, who has died aged 69, revealed himself as one of the forgotten fathers of
African popular music. He had a major influence on west Africa's soul, funk and
Afrobeat scene in the 1960s and 70s, and made a huge impression on the young
Fela Kuti, yet his music had been largely unheard for the past 30 years.
<!--[if !
Born and raised as Gerald Pine in Freetown, Sierra Leone, he
was the son of a Nigeria-based lawyer and lost his mother and sister at an
early age. Rebelling against his background, he started playing music at a
social club and co-founded the Heartbeats at the start of the 1960s, playing
covers of American hits and Congolese versions of rumba, then sweeping west
Africa. The most famous Congolese musicians were Franco and Dr Nico, whose
names inspired Gerald Pine to turn into the exotic "Geraldo Pino".
Playing Freetown
nightclubs such as the Flamingo, Palm Beach and Tiwana, the Heartbeats became
one of the highest earning bands in west Africa, and when television was
introduced in Sierra Leone in 1962, Pino and the Heartbeats had their own show.
In early 1963 they cut their first records - including Maria Lef For Waka,
Heartbeats Merengue and Zamzie - which were released on his own Pino Records
label. Zamzie is still used by Voice of America as a signature tune.
Africa was alive with
dance music in those optimistic, post-colonial days and the Heartbeats provided
a sophisticated, internationalised sound which began to challenge the
ubiquitous highlife. Pino was also a great manager, promoter and businessman.
Touring Ghana and Nigeria (1965-67), he was very much the playboy pop star,
with a Pontiac convertible, flashy clothes and, most importantly, hardware
unheard of in Africa at that time: imported amplifiers pumping out the sound of
his electronic instruments and a six-microphone PA system.
Pino had the stage
presence to match, impressing women and men equally. Among his 1960s and 70s
hits were Power to the People, Give Me Ganja, Let Them Talk and Make Me Feel
Good.
He impressed Fela
Kuti (then still Ransome Kuti) when he played Lagos, Nigeria. At the time the
Nigerian was playing jazzy highlife while Pino arrived with James Brown's style
of music and formidable equipment. "He had all Nigeria in his pocket,"
Fela said in 1982. "Made me fall right on my ass, man."
Pino returned to
Nigeria in 1967, and later that year took up a residency at the Ringway hotel,
Accra, Ghana. The original Heartbeats broke up at the end of the decade and he
recruited Ghanaians for the new Heartbeats 72 from a psychedelic band, the
Plastic Jims. In the 70s they played west African concerts alongside Jimmy
Cliff, Rufus Thomas and Manu Dibango. Pino's records made him famous as far
away as Kenya.
In 1969 he settled in
Nigeria and never left, buying a TV station and the Airport hotel in the city
of Port Harcourt. There he introduced up-and-coming Camerounian musicians and
played with Fela Kuti. In 2005 two of his albums were reissued, bringing his
sounds to a new generation. In London last year, he played again with former
Heartbeats drummer and arranger Francis Fuster, and despite failing health
acquitted himself well.
Pino had cancer and
was diabetic. A Port Harcourt paper reported that he was being treated for
"a mere pain on the foot when he finally gave up the ghost". Pino
never married, though he is believed to have fathered several children.
• Geraldo Pino (Gerald Pine), musician, born 10 February
1939; died 10 November 2008
| |
| At The Barbican 2008 |
 |
| GIRALDO PINO - in Afro Rock Style |
 Balogun Johnson- Williams- Dr Dynamite  |
| Balogun Johnson-Williams- Dr Dynamite |
 |
| Francis Fuster |
Geraldo Pino. A playboy bandleader and singer, he helped
shape African music. The Guardian, Wednesday 14 January 2009.
When he appeared at
the Barbican in London last May, the singer, guitarist and bandleader Geraldo
Pino, who has died aged 69, revealed himself as one of the forgotten fathers of
African popular music. He had a major influence on west Africa's soul, funk and
Afrobeat scene in the 1960s and 70s, and made a huge impression on the young
Fela Kuti, yet his music had been largely unheard for the past 30 years. Born
and raised as Gerald Pine in Freetown, Sierra Leone, he was the son of a
Nigeria-based lawyer and lost his mother and sister at an early age. Rebelling
against his background, he started playing music at a social club and
co-founded the Heartbeats at the start of the 1960s, playing covers of American
hits and Congolese versions of rumba, then sweeping west Africa. The most
famous Congolese musicians were Franco and Dr Nico, whose names inspired Gerald
Pine to turn into the exotic "Geraldo Pino". Playing Freetown
nightclubs such as the Flamingo, Palm Beach and Tiwana, the Heartbeats became
one of the highest earning bands in west Africa, and when television was
introduced in Sierra Leone in 1962, Pino and the Heartbeats had their own show.
In early 1963 they cut their first records - including Maria Lef For Waka,
Heartbeats Merengue and Zamzie - which were released on his own Pino Records
label. Zamzie is still used by Voice of America as a signature tune. Africa was
alive with dance music in those optimistic, post-colonial days and the
Heartbeats provided a sophisticated, internationalised sound which began to
challenge the ubiquitous highlife. Pino was also a great manager, promoter and
businessman. Touring Ghana and Nigeria (1965-67), he was very much the playboy
pop star, with a Pontiac convertible, flashy clothes and, most importantly,
hardware unheard of in Africa at that time: imported amplifiers pumping out the
sound of his electronic instruments and a six-microphone PA system. Pino had
the stage presence to match, impressing women and men equally. Among his 1960s
and 70s hits were Power to the People, Give Me Ganja, Let Them Talk and Make Me
Feel Good. He impressed Fela Kuti (then still Ransome Kuti) when he played
Lagos, Nigeria. At the time the Nigerian was playing jazzy highlife while Pino
arrived with James Brown's style of music and formidable equipment. "He
had all Nigeria in his pocket," Fela said in 1982. "Made me fall
right on my ass, man."
Pino returned to Nigeria in 1967, and later that
year took up a residency at the Ringway hotel, Accra, Ghana. The original
Heartbeats broke up at the end of the decade and he recruited Ghanaians for the
new Heartbeats 72 from a psychedelic band, the Plastic Jims. In the 70s they
played west African concerts alongside Jimmy Cliff, Rufus Thomas and Manu
Dibango. Pino's records made him famous as far away as Kenya. In 1969 he
settled in Nigeria and never left, buying a TV station and the Airport hotel in
the city of Port Harcourt. There he introduced up-and-coming Camerounian
musicians and played with Fela Kuti. In 2005 two of his albums were reissued,
bringing his sounds to a new generation. In London last year, he played again
with former Heartbeats drummer and arranger Francis Fuster, and despite failing
health acquitted himself well. Pino had cancer and was diabetic. A Port
Harcourt paper reported that he was being treated for "a mere pain on the
foot when he finally gave up the ghost". Pino never married, though he is
believed to have fathered several children.
• Geraldo Pino (Gerald Pine),
musician, born 10 February 1939; died 10 November 2008.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
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| My days in the Queenesters |
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| Pino: the early days |
Israel Ojekeh Parper
Snr – commented in Facebook:
Iwas privileged to meet Gerald in his last days whilst he
was in London on his Barbican tour. He had finished his performance at the Barbican and in
early June I was called on the phone whilst still at work to 'come now to
Tavistock Hotel or you will regret'. I ask why? The reply was 'you will find
out'. Hesitantly, I packed my desk and went. I Had Not Seen Gerald for over 40
years and there he was at a room on the third floor at Tavistock Hotel,
Bloomsbury in London. I had just missed Francis Fuster who had also been at the
Hotel with Pino. Ade Daramy the caller is to be blessed for giving me this rear
opportunity to meet him.
Ade was a baby/ kid in the early 1960s but had grown up with Pino's music and as a Part Time DJ at Colourful Radio he plays all the tracks that emerged from Pino's music from time to time. We hugged and give high fives before he settled down to a 25 / 30 minutes interview by Ade- then he pulled me close to him whilst the camera was still running and charted: specifically asked about one or two of the rising stars of music others early days naming in particular- Bunny Mack, Sullay, Sugar-na-mot (of the Ticklers Dance band where Sylvester Williams of 'Kaboh, Kaboh fame was the youngest member then, playing with Popolipo on lead guitar).
The interview ended; Pino then invited us downstairs for dinner. I cherished that evening in June 2008, a moment that will for ever remain with me especially when we reminisce and broke in some of his original tunes like 'Maria do ya lef for waka' and recall an episode in Bo at the Splendid dance Club Centre before they left for Liberia - the only time I shook the Marakas and singing in the band: (I was not good enough at the guitar by then - certainly not to the required standard). Marvellous moment was that at the Tavistock Hotel: he was not very well and he virtually limped a bit as we walked to the dinner for he certainly was in some discomfort. He also had a cold. One thing though, his elegance had not diminished - he had the same high 'Elvis Presley' hairstyle which was a trademark of those early days.
Finding out that I have careered unto banking rather than a full time musician he enquired of me how quick he can get the cheque that was paid to him cashed as he had no bank account in UK. I gave him my professional advise on the matter, which he followed and was satisfied. That indeed was the last time I saw Giraldo Pino. He left for Nigeria a few days after that awesome meeting - thanks to Ade Daramy! (and his camera man). Below is a photo of that interview but will leave the choice of publishing the full interview to Ade Daramy since I truly believe the property rights rests with him.
GIRALDO PINO died on the same Sunday as The Legendary Mariam Makeba of South Africa who collapsed and died at the end of her performance in Italy.
MAY THEIR SOULS REST IN PERFECT PEACE!
Geraldo Pino and The Heartbeats
Giraldo Pino (Gerald Pine) was
my birthday big brother (10th February). We all took after his musical style and developed love
and interest in the kind of music he introduced to Sierra Leone in the early
1960s. With Dr Dynamite, Francis Fuster and the rest of the original Heartbeats
we all follower his footsteps and there was a rise and growth of Pop bands in
Freetown copying every and any kind of music from Congolese bands like Ryco
Jazz whose style was more liked to us through Dr Dynamite's exuberance and dynamism,
African Jazz - Papa Noel, Dr. Nico, Franco, Rochero and the African Fiesters, etc.,etc. Through Girald's vision, Heartheats Number 2 was born , practicing mainly at the Collier's Home at Edwards Street West end. The Collier brothers, Emile Walsh, Ogu Cole Fredrick Peeler, and Tom Brown who later took lead guitar when Dr Dynamite left the Heartbeats and formed his own band Jazz Leone (later named Maskoloko Jazz) with Durosimi Johnson playing bass Bankie at rhythm. Tom Brown was later replaced in Ghana by Emile Walsh rising from Heartbeats number two (2).
SLBS/TV was GOOD those days and bands played live every weekend - Afro National, The Golden Strings - with ( now) Dr Cecil Blake as vocalist, the Braitwait brothers, with Dennis Staffanopolos as Rhythm guitarist; myself, Henry Mamah, late Claudius Ina Taylor, the Decker brothers and Stoker Williams in The Queenesters band (known as The Mamas & The Papas at the SLBS/TV, alla Chris During- Presenter!) all following Pino and performed our bits: not to forget The Echoes - with Bola at Bass and Bunny Mack on lead who later swapped places with CY Davies to join the Sound Casters and leave Town for the UK together together with CY'S brother Eddie Davies; nor leaving The Academicals- with Gipu Felex George at Drums , David Allen, Claudius (Dadiyo) Thomas and Serray Wurie - all FBC students then. Nor shall I forget the arrival of Supper Combo Kings - raised from the ashes on the collapse of the SLPMB and the SLPMB band then in Bo salvaged to become Super Combo with Bobwin Amara (Amara Bangura), Emile Ogu and later Dwight Ogu replacing Peku, Sidiqui Fofanah (Gumbu), Ade Foster Jones - ( Na mi get mi Tumba - composed then); Emile Isaac, Peku (Rogers Mosgrove) previously with Skedo and the Peace Makers at Blama , with Alex Allen (who later (Reverend) joined the Afro Combo band- a 'twig' breakaway Congolese band from Ryco Jazz who settled in Sierra Leone).
Other bands then grew up under the influence of Pino include, The Merigo Jazz band later re- named as Olympic Saccoh Jazz from the same Regent Road Southend area with Sanusi at the elm; Jonathan (now Reverend) Atiba Davies at bass, nor would I forget Apata Jazz. Some of these group members crossed and re-crossed to become Afro National, Sabanoh 75, with the entrance of Freddy Green, Ayo Macauley, Nomukeh Turay, Abu Whyte ( Muye Power- still on the music scene), and so on. Gerald Pine (Giraldo Pino) inspired a great many of us and his influence has stayed with many of us and some of us are still deep in it even if not as before and may have taken different career roots. [Few women also were prominent and gained from this legacy like, Patricia- Afro National, Theresa-Sabanoh, Regina of the Female Police Band].
Other original Heartbeats members include Arnold Nylender, (Rhythm), George Kiester (Bass) Lebbie (vocalist) who later joined Afro -National ( Dem Kick oh fame) and Alimamy Dean.
SLBS/TV was GOOD those days and bands played live every weekend - Afro National, The Golden Strings - with ( now) Dr Cecil Blake as vocalist, the Braitwait brothers, with Dennis Staffanopolos as Rhythm guitarist; myself, Henry Mamah, late Claudius Ina Taylor, the Decker brothers and Stoker Williams in The Queenesters band (known as The Mamas & The Papas at the SLBS/TV, alla Chris During- Presenter!) all following Pino and performed our bits: not to forget The Echoes - with Bola at Bass and Bunny Mack on lead who later swapped places with CY Davies to join the Sound Casters and leave Town for the UK together together with CY'S brother Eddie Davies; nor leaving The Academicals- with Gipu Felex George at Drums , David Allen, Claudius (Dadiyo) Thomas and Serray Wurie - all FBC students then. Nor shall I forget the arrival of Supper Combo Kings - raised from the ashes on the collapse of the SLPMB and the SLPMB band then in Bo salvaged to become Super Combo with Bobwin Amara (Amara Bangura), Emile Ogu and later Dwight Ogu replacing Peku, Sidiqui Fofanah (Gumbu), Ade Foster Jones - ( Na mi get mi Tumba - composed then); Emile Isaac, Peku (Rogers Mosgrove) previously with Skedo and the Peace Makers at Blama , with Alex Allen (who later (Reverend) joined the Afro Combo band- a 'twig' breakaway Congolese band from Ryco Jazz who settled in Sierra Leone).
Other bands then grew up under the influence of Pino include, The Merigo Jazz band later re- named as Olympic Saccoh Jazz from the same Regent Road Southend area with Sanusi at the elm; Jonathan (now Reverend) Atiba Davies at bass, nor would I forget Apata Jazz. Some of these group members crossed and re-crossed to become Afro National, Sabanoh 75, with the entrance of Freddy Green, Ayo Macauley, Nomukeh Turay, Abu Whyte ( Muye Power- still on the music scene), and so on. Gerald Pine (Giraldo Pino) inspired a great many of us and his influence has stayed with many of us and some of us are still deep in it even if not as before and may have taken different career roots. [Few women also were prominent and gained from this legacy like, Patricia- Afro National, Theresa-Sabanoh, Regina of the Female Police Band].
Other original Heartbeats members include Arnold Nylender, (Rhythm), George Kiester (Bass) Lebbie (vocalist) who later joined Afro -National ( Dem Kick oh fame) and Alimamy Dean.
 |
| Me - Lead guitar with College Band 1973 |
Ade was a baby/ kid in the early 1960s but had grown up with Pino's music and as a Part Time DJ at Colourful Radio he plays all the tracks that emerged from Pino's music from time to time. We hugged and give high fives before he settled down to a 25 / 30 minutes interview by Ade- then he pulled me close to him whilst the camera was still running and charted: specifically asked about one or two of the rising stars of music others early days naming in particular- Bunny Mack, Sullay, Sugar-na-mot (of the Ticklers Dance band where Sylvester Williams of 'Kaboh, Kaboh fame was the youngest member then, playing with Popolipo on lead guitar).
The interview ended; Pino then invited us downstairs for dinner. I cherished that evening in June 2008, a moment that will for ever remain with me especially when we reminisce and broke in some of his original tunes like 'Maria do ya lef for waka' and recall an episode in Bo at the Splendid dance Club Centre before they left for Liberia - the only time I shook the Marakas and singing in the band: (I was not good enough at the guitar by then - certainly not to the required standard). Marvellous moment was that at the Tavistock Hotel: he was not very well and he virtually limped a bit as we walked to the dinner for he certainly was in some discomfort. He also had a cold. One thing though, his elegance had not diminished - he had the same high 'Elvis Presley' hairstyle which was a trademark of those early days.
Finding out that I have careered unto banking rather than a full time musician he enquired of me how quick he can get the cheque that was paid to him cashed as he had no bank account in UK. I gave him my professional advise on the matter, which he followed and was satisfied. That indeed was the last time I saw Giraldo Pino. He left for Nigeria a few days after that awesome meeting - thanks to Ade Daramy! (and his camera man). Below is a photo of that interview but will leave the choice of publishing the full interview to Ade Daramy since I truly believe the property rights rests with him.
GIRALDO PINO died on the same Sunday as The Legendary Mariam Makeba of South Africa who collapsed and died at the end of her performance in Italy.
MAY THEIR SOULS REST IN PERFECT PEACE!
 |
| Giraldo Pino -at Tarvistock Hotel Bloomsbury London-interviewed by Mr Ade Daramy 1n 2008 |
Geraldo Pino and The Heartbeats
This Line Up: Left to Right:
George Kirster; Hassan Deen; Gerald Pine (Geraldo Pino); Emile Walsh; Francis Forster; & Arnold (Jet) Nylander.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Israel Ojekeh Parper Snr
Updated: 5th December 2016
(c) This video has been compiled and remains the property of Israel Ojekeh Parper Snr- 1st July 2013
INTERESTING VIDEOS - ENJOY
PINO'S:- AFRICAN HUSTLE
Pino 's- Let Them Talk- Afro Rock
Pino 's- Heavy Heavy - Afro Funk
Pino's - Power To The People - Afro Funk
Pino's Drummer and Percussionist Francis Fuster- Interviewed after his death: A revelation
Added 23rd January 2019 at news of death of Dr Dynamite- Balogun Johnson-Williams
Geraldo Pino and the Heartbeats. [Excerpts from MILO AND ALL THAT JAZZ The Golden Era of Salone Music Kitty Fadlu-Deen Edited by Winston Forde]
