Bucknor was born in Lagos on 29 March 1946.^[5] He was educated at King's College and Columbia University, New York.^[2][6][7] He was a member of the school's band and choir.^[8] He started out playing the tin whistle as a junior band member but later graduated to learning the guitar and piano.^[9] During this time, he apprenticed under Roy Chicago's band.^[10]

In 1964, he was a member of a newly formed band, the Hot Four.^[11] He was the band's organist and lead guitar player; other members were Mike Nelson Cole, the band leader and Sunmi Smart Cole, the drummer. The group played regularly in Lagos clubs such as Surulere night club.^[11] However, Bucknor traveled to the United States to study for a couple of years.^[12] During his time in the United States, he was influenced by Ray Charles.^[1] After his return in 1968, the band received funding from a trio of investors and upon the exit of Mike Nelson Cole, Bucknor became the band leader.^[8]

In 1969, the name of the band became Segun Bucknor and the Assembly.^[2] The group recorded soul songs including "Lord Give Me Soul" and "I Will Love You No Matter How".^[8] Gradually the group migrated from soul songs to a style of afrobeat; in performance a dancing trio called the Sweet Things was included.^[13]

Bucknor was known for establishing politics into his music.^[14] In 1970, the band released "Son of 15 January",^[15] The Son of 15 January treating the assassination of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, which occurred on 15 January 1966.^[14] In the 1970s, the band released more politically charged songs, "Sorrow, Sorrow, Sorrow", "Poor Man No Get Brother", before its popularity began to slip around the mid-1970s.^[2] Bucknor retired from music after receiving threats due to his political views.^[16]

After Segun Bucknor and the Assembly disbanded in 1975, Bucknor dedicated his time to journalism.^[16] He wrote about political corruption, the same concept as during his musical career.^[16]

Bucknor kept a low profile during the 1980s and 1990s due to low popularity and wanting to focus on his family.^[17] He made rare musical appearances at cafes during the early 2000s.^[17] In recent years, he was kept out of the public by poor health.^[18] He made a few broadcasts on his daughter Tosyn Bucknor's social media account.^[18]

In 2002, the BBC published a review covering Bucknor's career from 1969 through 1975.^[19] It praises Bucknor's "reissue of various recordings made from 1969 to 1975 [which] represents an interesting slice of Nigerian pop music history and culture".^[2][19]

Style edit

Bucknor was noted for switching between singing and shouting from singing alone, floating above every instrument, or in a clear loud voice.^[20] The drums, percussion, guitar, bass, keys and horns would be accessories to his vocals.^[20] The progression of his sound is more circular and rhythmic, floating around you, and dancing would be involved in his music.^[12] His lyrics were in English and Yoruba.^[21]

Bucknor was married to Sola Bucknor until his death in 2017.^[22] Together, they had two children: Tosyn Bucknor, a media personality, and Funke Bucknor-Obruthe, a businesswoman.^[22]

Bucknor died in Lagos early on 11 August 2017 after multiple strokes at the age of 71.^[23] His death was announced by his daughter Funke on Facebook.^[18] He also had hypertension and diabetes.^[23]

• Collins, John (1985). Musicmakers of West Africa. Washington, DC: Three Continents Press.
• Hutcheon, David (21 August 2010). "Jazz/World". The Times. London.

• Segun Bucknor's discography at Discogs
• Segun Bucknor at AllMusic