Come Wednesday June 30, 2021, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), the nation’s biggest copyright collective management organization, will roll out the red carpet at the magnificent COSON House in Ikeja in honour of the quintessential drummer boy and widely respected musician and producer, Richard Ayodele Cole who attains the biblical age of 70 years on that day. Family, friends and colleagues of Gentleman Cole have been invited to the COSON House Arena to share the day with him, sing a “Happy Birthday Song†for him and join in the cutting of the birthday cake.
Richard Cole is one of Nigeria’s greatest drummers of all times and a well-known songwriter and producer. The widely travelled Richard Cole who played music for a significant period in Oakland California has probably performed with more diverse groups across Nigeria than anyone else. He was leader of Christy Essien Igbokwe’s Goldtrain Orchestra. Cole was also a member of Bongos Ikwue’s band, the Groovies and Victor Uwaifo’s Titibiti Band. Richard Cole was in Steve Rhode’s October Band. He was part of Sonny Okosun & Paperback Ltd, Mona Finnih & the Sunflowers, the Great Immortals with Eric Kol in Benin City, the Key 5 Band in Onitsha, Flash 505 in Kaduna, etc.For nearly four years, Mr. Cole has been a member of the COSON Board, making significant contribution to the stability and survival of the organization.
Speaking on the upcoming birthday of the great Richard Cole, COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji said, “all of us in the COSON family are elated that our very own Richard Cole has made it to the biblical age of 70. Mr. Cole is one of the important pillars of COSON where his contribution to the Board is profound. I am yet to see anyone more committed to the progress of the music industry and Nigerian musicians than Richard Cole. His personal carriage, humility and wisdom continue to provide inspiration to those of us who are lucky to have the opportunity to work with him. The COSON family wishes Mr. Cole many more years of service to humanity.
