Wendo Kolosoy

The acknowledged creator of the rumba congolaise, Wendo Kolosoy was the first Congo-born musician to achieve international renown when his "Marie-Louise" emerged as a global hit in 1948. Born Antoine Kalosoyi in the Mai-Ndombe province on April 25, 1925, he was orphaned at the age of nine and sent to live with the Society of the Missionaries of Africa. He later claimed the spirit of his mother (who regularly sang traditional Congolese songs at local parties and festivals) came to him in a dream and proclaimed "You're going to play the guitar," and at 11 he made his performing ...