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    Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand

    Press Play with Madeleine Brand

    Who is William Onyeabor?

    This past May, David Byrne of Talking Heads and a group of musicians got together at the Greek Theater to play the music of William Onyeabor. Who is William Onyeabor, you ask? He’s one of the most mysterious figures in music. He was a businessman who created his own style of afro-synth funk in Nigeria in the 70’s and 80’s.

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    By Madeleine Brand • Aug 29, 2014 • 1 min read

    This past May, David Byrne of Talking Heads and a group of musicians got together at the Greek Theater to play the music of William Onyeabor. Who is William Onyeabor, you ask? He’s one of the most mysterious figures in music. He was a businessman who created his own style of afro-synth funk in Nigeria in the 70’s and 80’s. He put out eight albums on his own label and recorded them in his own studio. He lives in a home he calls his “palace.” In this segment, we talk to someone who knows as much about Onyeabor as anyone.

    You can find more pictures from the ATOMIC BOMB! performance at the Greek Theater here.

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Madeleine Brand

      Host, 'Press Play'

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Andrew Walsh

      Too Beautiful to Live

    • KCRW placeholder

      Christian Bordal

      Managing Producer, Greater LA

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Matt Holzman

      Producer, 'The Document'

    • KCRW placeholder

      Uchenna Ikonne

      DJ and music writer

      News
    Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand