Gabriel Omolo Aginga was a Kenyan musician (1939-2018) who grew up in Muthurwa's railways and later in Makongeni, Nairobi. He learnt to play guitar while at St. Peters Claver Primary School, where he also sang in the choir. His career took off in the 1960s when he joined The Equator Sound Band with Fadhili William, Daudi Kabaka and Nashil Pichen Kazembe. When the musicians quarreled with the owner of the Equator, Charles Worrod in 1968, they agreed with the politician JM Kariuki who founded the African Eagles Recording Limited by appointing directors of the company Kabaka, Pichen and Omolo. Later he played with the Blue Shade Band before forming Apollo Komesha '71.
Links to Peel[]
Peel mentioned buying the musician's records when holidaying in Kenya in the early 70's (Peel mistakenly on the show says 1972, but in fact was 1973) on his show in the summer of 1991. He would revisit the artist on his shows in 1991 when Gabriel Omolo's tracks were added to the Kenya Dance Mania compilation album.
Shows Played[]
- 1978
- 09 February 1978: Goodbye Mr Kupe (7" - Anna) Apollo
- 20 July 1991: Keep Change No 3 (7" - Ukumbusho / Keep Change No 3) Apollo
- 21 July 1991: Keep Change No. 3
- 22 July 1991 (Radio Bremen): Keep Change No 3 (7" - Ukumbusho / Keep Change No 3) Apollo
- 28 July 1991: Goodbye Mr Kupe (7" - Anna) Apollo
- 02 August 1991 (BFBS): Keep Change No 3 (7" - Ukumbusho / Keep Change No 3) Apollo
- 11 August 1991: Magy Nyar Alego (v/a CD - Kenya Dance Mania) Earthworks
- 17 August 1991: Tony Onyango (v/a album - Kenya Dance Mania) Earthworks
- 23 August 1991 (BFBS): Wed Today Divorce Tomorrow (v/a CD - Kenya Dance Mania) Earthworks
- 14 September 1991: Lunch Time (v/a CD - Kenya Dance Mania) Earthworks