Biography
Recognized widely as the godfather of Afro-beat, Sierra Leone native Geraldo Pino established the groundwork for West Africa’s soul and funk upheaval during the 1970s. Gerald Pine entered the world in Freetown on February 10, 1939, as the child of an attorney whose practice operated out of Nigeria. Following the abrupt passing of his mother and sister, he turned against his father’s wishes by pursuing music, helping launch the Heartbeats in 1961. American pop covers formed the core of the band’s early sets, which resonated strongly with audiences throughout the region and soon positioned the Heartbeats among West Africa’s most lucrative acts, with regular appearances at Freetown venues such as the Flamingo, Palm Beach, and Tiwana. The arrival of television in Sierra Leone in 1962 brought the Heartbeats their own program. Around the same period Pine took the stage name Geraldo Pino, drawing inspiration from Congolese guitarists Franco and Doctor Nico. In 1963 the Heartbeats launched Pino Records and released singles such as “Maria Left for Waka,” “Heartbeats Merengue,” and “Zamzie.” Over time the ensemble absorbed sounds from Motown Records, yet the decisive model for Pino’s singing, compositions, and stage persona remained James Brown, whose driving funk rhythms and electrifying performances shaped Pino’s most acclaimed work.
Between 1965 and 1967 the Heartbeats maintained an exhaustive touring schedule across West Africa that spread Pino’s reputation throughout the continent. Their concerts acquired legendary status, as Afro-beat pioneer Fela Kuti later recounted: “I was playing highlife jazz when Geraldo Pino came to town in ’66 or a bit earlier with soul — that’s what upset everything, man. He came to town with James Brown’s music, singing ‘Hey, hey, I feel all right, ta ta ta ta....’ And with such equipment you’ve never seen, man. This man was tearing Lagos to pieces. After seeing this Pino, I knew I had to get my shit together. And quick!” Further hits including “Power to the People,” “Give Me Ganja,” “Let Them Talk,” and “Make Me Feel Good” strengthened Pino’s standing. After the Heartbeats disbanded in 1969 he assembled a new ensemble from members of Ghana’s psychedelic group the Plastic Jims. That year he also acquired a television station and a hotel in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, and thereafter stayed largely in the vicinity, departing only for select performances with artists such as Jimmy Cliff, Rufus Thomas, and Manu Dibango. The rising commercial profile of Kuti and subsequent Afro-beat figures eclipsed Pino’s later recordings, leaving him largely overlooked until a selection of his earlier material appeared on CD in 2005. Despite ongoing struggles with cancer and diabetes, he delivered a celebrated return concert in London during 2007; Pino passed away on November 10, 2008.
Between 1965 and 1967 the Heartbeats maintained an exhaustive touring schedule across West Africa that spread Pino’s reputation throughout the continent. Their concerts acquired legendary status, as Afro-beat pioneer Fela Kuti later recounted: “I was playing highlife jazz when Geraldo Pino came to town in ’66 or a bit earlier with soul — that’s what upset everything, man. He came to town with James Brown’s music, singing ‘Hey, hey, I feel all right, ta ta ta ta....’ And with such equipment you’ve never seen, man. This man was tearing Lagos to pieces. After seeing this Pino, I knew I had to get my shit together. And quick!” Further hits including “Power to the People,” “Give Me Ganja,” “Let Them Talk,” and “Make Me Feel Good” strengthened Pino’s standing. After the Heartbeats disbanded in 1969 he assembled a new ensemble from members of Ghana’s psychedelic group the Plastic Jims. That year he also acquired a television station and a hotel in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, and thereafter stayed largely in the vicinity, departing only for select performances with artists such as Jimmy Cliff, Rufus Thomas, and Manu Dibango. The rising commercial profile of Kuti and subsequent Afro-beat figures eclipsed Pino’s later recordings, leaving him largely overlooked until a selection of his earlier material appeared on CD in 2005. Despite ongoing struggles with cancer and diabetes, he delivered a celebrated return concert in London during 2007; Pino passed away on November 10, 2008.
Albums
