Francis Ezute, popularly known as Franco Lee, is a renowned Nigerian musician from Ndokwa land. Born on January 16, 1949, Ezute began playing music at a young age and was nicknamed “The Harmony King” for his mastery of various instruments. Ezute’s professional music career took off in the late 1960s when he joined Professor S.N. De Opia’s Melody Makers band, playing highlife music. He later joined Muchacha Imuzor’s band, where he met other influential musicians like Isaac Rogana Ottah and Bob Fred. In 1977, Ezute formed his own band, The Harmony Kings International, with his brothers and other musicians. Their debut album, released in 1977, marked the beginning of a successful music career. However, it was their 1981 album, Ethiope Social Club, that brought them widespread success. The album’s title track, a sidelong floor-filler, became a bestseller and a perennial party essential across Igboland, solidifying Ezute’s reputation as a master of Anioma sound. Throughout the 1980s, Franco Lee Ezute continued to release music, exploring new sounds and themes. The acclaimed album Onye Kata Obia (1989) showcased his ability to craft infectious, danceable tracks that blended traditional Igbo rhythms with modern influences. Onye Kata Obia was a particularly powerful album, featuring Ezute’s passionate tribute to his fellow musician Ali Chukwuma, who had passed away in 1986. Ezute’s music legacy lives on, and his albums continue to be celebrated for their energy, creativity, and cultural significance. The reissue of Onye Kata Obia in a remastered edition has introduced his music to a new audience, ensuring that Franco Lee Ezute’s harmony will continue to reign supreme. Franco Lee Ezute passed away in 2013 at the age of 64, but his music remains a testament to his innovative spirit and his enduring impact on Nigerian music.