Segun Bucknor (29 March 1946 – 11 August 2017) was a Nigerian musician and journalist active during the 1960s and 1970s. He was a pianist and guitarist specializing in genres ranging from soul music to pop music and to funk.[1] Through their brief career, Segun Bucknor and the Assembly released a variety of music dealing with Nigerian culture or political influence which was described by the BBC as an "interesting slice of Nigerian pop music history and culture".[2]
Bucknor was the father of media personality Tosyn Bucknor[3] and businesswoman Funke Bucknor-Obruthe.[4]
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]
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]