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“Twenty-seven years ago (now 44 years), three creative instrumentalists – a drummer, a rhythm guitarist and bass guitarist – joined forces to donate their names, talents and dexterity to the pop kingdom of the early 70’s. BLO was formed. And a whirlwind of hits and tours and success followed.
Today, the L of BLO. Laolu Oluwole Akins (perhaps, Nigeria’s best snare drummer ever) has foreclosed stage performance for studio production. Since the mid-80’s, Laolu’s magic fingers have touched many music forms and brought life to many musicians.
His fingerprints were etched on the massive hits, ACE, Shinamania (Shina Peters), Bubble (Adewale Ayuba), Omoge, Rhumba Dance. Concert Fever (Mike Okri), etcetera – all multiple award winners. Even last year, 1999, one of his wards (Ayuba) was nominated for another award; yet the gentle creator and curator of musical fantasies is just settling into the job.
We thank God for having a Laolu Akins in this millennium, and we certify his industry, resourcefulness, creativity and relentless pursuit of excellence. Drum on, the stick-master.”
(Excerpt from “Millennium Mementoes” of 2000… in my 2011 book, Footprints: Interventions in Nigerian Entertainment)
PS: S-S-S-S-HHHH… Pls, don’t let him see this…he doesn’t want any ceremonies or noise made about his day or moment! That’s Uncle Laolu for you – straight as his drumstick!!
But…emm… how do you shut down a colossal heritage, a catalytic catalogue….?
Happy Birthday, Sir Oluwole… from all of us at MEGA, the Nigerian showbiz community, etc….
