Testimonies that will forever mark his art and his life in the musical universe around the world. The final farewells are thus announced for March 14 at the Dome of the Père Lachaise crematorium in Paris.
It was on the night of March 3 to 4, 2024 that he was taken from life. Felix Sabal Lecco leaves the music scene in a Paris hospital, leaving an entire community in extreme dismay. The famous drummer, Féfé, as he was affectionately called, leaves beautiful pages in the history of the great musicians of the world, and more particularly of Africa, of the story of Richard Bona, Gino Gitson and many other Cameroonians at the top of the planet.
A multidisciplinary musician, Féfé was a drummer, bassist, songwriter, performer, producer and arranger. He has collaborated and played with several renowned artists: the Senegalese Youssou N'Dour; the Malian Salif Keïta; the French France Gall, Michel Jonas, Alan Stivell; the British Peter Gabriel with whom he toured, Jeff Beck, Alan Stivell, Sting; the American Lenny Kravitz; the Swedish Jonas Hellborg, Prince. Félix Sabal-Lecco also contributed drums to Paul Simon's album “The Rhythm of the Saints” in 1990. His brother Armand will be on bass and maestro Vincent Nguini, Music Director at Paul Simon, was on guitar. . He also distinguished himself brilliantly in the production of film music, where he composed several music for the documentaries of Luc Riolon and for several other directors. We also note his participation in the music of the “Kirikou” saga. Félix was a great lover of French song, which rocked his early childhood in Cameroon.
He has always been inspired by Charles Aznavour, whom he has always considered his idol since the age of 6. A very humble and hardworking man, in his evolution he has displayed many idols like Billy Cobham, but his undisputed master remains the Cameroonian drummer Edouard Koulbellé; a drumming genius who performed at the cabaret “Le Philanthrope” alongside idols such as Roger Sabal-Lecco, Constantin Abel Ambassa “Moustique”, Depadou, Annie disco, and many others.
Félix Sabal-Lecco and his brother Armand were members of Manu Dibango's orchestra. In this adventure, Félix will first start as a bassist, then as a drummer, replacing him with his brother Armand. For the little anecdote, his brother Armand, one day, will be late in arriving at rehearsal. So to avoid falling behind, Manu will ask Félix who was the bassist to play as drummer. Armand eventually arrived, but with a slight delay, he was asked to take the bass. He will turn out to be very good on bass. Manu found it so good that he decided, after a concert, to keep the formation as such, which will never change again within Manu's Soul Makossa. He was part of the solid core nicknamed “the commando” made up of Justin Bowen, Ndedi Dibango, Vincent Nguini, Armand Sabal-Lecco. With Manu Dibango, he recorded several international tours (Germany, USA, etc.) and participated in the production of several albums.
Son of the former minister and ambassador, Felix Sabal Lecco of late memory, he was born in Yaoundé in a family of 8 children, 4 girls and 4 boys. His love for music dates back to his childhood under the influence of his older brother Roger who was performing at the time in well-known clubs in Yaoundé and it was behind Roger that Félix and Armand discovered music. Arriving in France to study as a forest ranger, Féfé will never again be driven by a passion for music, to the point where he ends up putting his studies on hold. Self-taught, he will forge a better future and a brilliant career which will raise him to the top, making him a genius, the fingering of an essential baton which has allowed him to collaborate with big names in music on a scale worldwide.
Since March 4, the sad news which immediately spread like wildfire has been experienced through numerous testimonies from people who knew him from near and far, and who consider him a man with a big heart, humanitarian, altruistic, always there for others.
On the web, several posts in various languages illustrated by videos or audios, pay tribute to Félix Sabal Lecco. We can then find the message from Richard Bona in Douala and in English, “To Muna Nyangwan Felix Sabal-Lecco Musician #sadness Londo na selelé Rest in POWER Brother My heart goes out to the Sabal Lecco’s Family”. Same dismay for François Constantin, a friend of Félix, who sees the drummer again in their moment of mood "Infinite sadness this morning, Felix Sabal-Lecco Musician has left, but I want to keep from him in addition to the music, these moments of humor, drollery and naturalness that was him. Have a good trip my guy and in any case one of these four”.
Numerous testimonies bursting across the internet magnifying the irreplaceable dimension of Féfé; Serge Dunand for a love note in his memory, “My Felix Sabal-Lecco, the news has broken, shattering, the kind of news that we don’t want to believe. And yet...You are now off to set the mood up there. Lucky will be those who meet you up there. Because those who met you down here remember. Each time, it was true, pure happiness. I reread your last text and I admit that it's a little hard. But I'm going to try to remember only those moments where laughter, music, show, come on, I say it: "chase of girl", chambering followed one another. We planned to see each other again soon. I don't know when it will happen, but I can tell you that I see you in my head and I feel you in my heart. Thank you for the love you have distributed to so many people. You knew how to use chopsticks. Peter Gabriel, Prince, Sting, Paul Simon, Manu Dibango...the greatest could attest to this, but above all you knew how to distribute happiness to others. Thank you Felix. I love you, we love you, they love you. »; Journalist Laurent Le Pape recounts Félix’s last moments, “Farewell Old Thing! Video: WhatsApp messages from Felix Sabal-Lecco.
The night of March 3 to 4, the shocking news appeared on Félix’s Facebook. It has been several years since he posted anything on his networks, following the death of his mother (2021). A few days before discovering the post-mortem, I learned that the doctors had stopped all his treatments. The die had been cast, the big departure was unfortunately coming soon... Monday March 4, when the news came on my cell phone early in the night, I was both devastated but also relieved for my friend. Yes, relieved because his suffering had lasted too long, the fault of that damn crab, who made a pact with the grim reaper! Finally the light at the end of this dark and endless tunnel crossed by my friend for so long... The loss of Félix's mother in 2021 had a tragic impact on his health. The shock was so intense for my friend that he never recovered. His last Instagram post dated 08/24/2021 marks his “almost” last communication on his social networks. It was a publication in tribute to his mother who had just passed away...", Alain Gozzo immersed in the sadness of seeing his friend leave, "So sad today, my old friend Félix Sabal-Lecco has left for another world.
Super drummer, King of Groove, incredible showman, an eternal smile on his lips, unfailing kindness... We shared lounges, drum shows, where you told everyone in your pretty African accent "Alain he is dangerous” and I replied “you’re doing this… you’re ruining my house every time we share the same scene”, and we hugged each other, and we laughed heartily. A great artist and a beautiful person whom I adored. Yes, I’m f… sad…”,
His Cameroonian musician brothers do not miss this great ball of testimonies which crown the talents that come from Cameroon, to meet the world on familiar terms. Mireille Fabiola Eba, thanks the hero who left, “Thank you you left like a true warrior Felix Sabal-Lecco I have already had the chance to work and share moments of laughter with your brothers such as Guy Nsangué Akwawe often enjoy speaking in Beti Kayou Roots my brother and friend I am going to shake up my calendar to violate the privacy of Jendah Manga and Christian Bourdon my brothers who love me I know I was not lucky to have your signature brother I regret my false trip ". Jeki Joelle Esso revisits Félix's contribution in his album Mungo "Félix Sabal-Lecco, extraordinary drummer... A great professional of incredible kindness, and what humor! In 2002 I recorded my album "Mungo!". Gino Sitson, PhD suggests I call on Féfé for a few pieces, I answer him "um, will he have the time? With my small budget?" Gino insists. I call Félix who replies: "I'm in London with Peter Gabriel. But if I fit the pieces into one day I'll do the round trip by Eurostar." OMG. He came, he accepted my small budget.
What generosity! Féfé, my Féfé as I called you, since we must now speak of you in the past tense, you precede us where we will all go. The shock and sadness are immense but let's celebrate your life above all. Love you forever", Chrispo Epole salutes the artistic dimension of the man, "Mr Felix Sabal-lecco, We don't say it enough, but the mastery of this outstanding rhythmician had seduced artists as diverse as Manu Dibango, Peter Gabriel, Sting, Herbie Hancock, Paul Simon and even… Prince! This prestigious epic was well worth a conversation in today's musical universe." Féfé "our Super Man, who we affectionately called go and rest in peace", Kaïssa Doumbe Moulongo, reviews the moments spent alongside Félix, "Immense sadness. Felix Sabal-Lecco my brother and long-time friend. Féfé, your multiple talents; drummer, actor, singer, painter, teacher, showman, producer have embellished our lives. Your legendary joie de vivre, your sunny personality, your loyalty in friendship, your encouragement towards your fellow artists, your love for art, your kindness, your smile are unforgettable. Our ties began in Yaoundé in the 1950s with our parents who were neighbors and friends. To your Sabal-Lecco family Clotilde Daniele Armand and all the siblings, I tell you assia we are with you with all my heart.
I will forever cherish our friendship and the last conversation on the phone last week you continued to exude joy and laughter despite everything... Man of class, worthy son of Bertoua. Those who were lucky enough to know you, to work with you on tours/studio sessions, even those who only knew you a little, all agree to pay you vibrant tributes. They all know the luminous being that you were. Tara! At the word wam. Love always. THANKS. Londo na sélélé", Macaire Lemdja, for his part, the memory remains immense, "R.I.P THE ARTIST FÉLIX SABAL LECCO, The page of our years of youth, of carefreeness, of sincere friendship, stripped of any calculation or hints, closes little by little by the reaper who once again got the better of one of us Félix Sabal Lecco, drum virtuoso since the Lycée Général Leclerc and whose other brothers Roger and Armand Sabal-Lecco also excel as musicians. It is with deep regret and shared emotion that we learn of the departure of our brother and friend Félix. May he rest in peace. Our sincere condolences and a lot of courage to the family", For bassist Jean Dikoto Mandengue, 𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁,"The news of Felix's death struck my memory. I send my condolences to his family, in particular to Armand Sabal-Lecco, my bassist colleague, also his younger brother. F𝗲́𝗹𝗶𝘅 𝗦𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗹-𝗹𝗲𝗰𝗰𝗼 𝗲́𝘁𝗮𝗶𝘁 𝘂𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝘁 𝗾𝘂𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻 𝗱𝗼𝗶𝘁 𝗰𝗲́𝗹𝗲́𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗿. It's not easy to play the drums. However, he managed to do it with great mastery. Which contributed to raising the name of Cameroon very high. We met once at a festival in Holland. I was amazed at how impressive the duo he formed tonight with Gino Sitson, PhD. What a loss! The musicians are in mourning. After my friend Slim Pezin, another great artist is leaving. 𝗤𝘂𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗼𝘂𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗱𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗲𝘂𝗿 𝗝𝗲́𝘀𝘂𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗹'𝗮𝗰𝗰𝘂𝗲𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘂 𝗱𝗶𝘀. Rest in peace "
The funeral of Felix Sabal-Lecco is announced at the Dome of the Père Lachaise crematorium in Paris, for Thursday March 14, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. A press release published on the official Facebook page of the illustrious deceased drummer. For now, we are preparing for a final funeral moment, a final farewell to accompany Félix Sabal Lecco on his journey to the beyond.
Bertin Bidja
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