BORN in Bo in 1946, Abu Bakar Sidique Fofanah attended the EUB Primary School and the St Andrews Secondary School (UCC) in Bo.  He became interested in music and had his first opportunity to demonstrate his musical talents when he was invited to join the Band of the Sierra Leone Produce Marketing Board (SLPMB). He spent a few years with the band, composing many songs and performing throughout Sierra Leone.

A musical entrepreneur named Sammy Kobassy bought a set of musical instruments and invited various musicians, including Sidique, to join the band which became known as Super Combo. It was a turning point in Sidique's life.

Super Combo made great musical waves which made it one of the most popular bands ever in Sierra Leone. Soon its fame and music reverberated beyond the country's borders into neighbouring Guinea and Liberia. The band reached its peak of fame in the 60s following its recording of the songs Memuna and Ngombu which have become iconic classics in the history of music in Sierra Leone.

Sidique continued to make great improvements as a singer and in 1974 he toured the United Kingdom with Super Combo at the invitation of music promoter Akie Deen.

Whilst in England, he made full use of his musical talents. He learnt to play the drums and became an accomplished player of both traditional and contemporary drums. This new opening gave him the opportunity to play alongside the late S E Rogie, another musical legend of Sierra Leone, Abdul Tee Jay of Rokoto fame, King Masco, The Champ, Mick Joe Lusala and his Soukous band from the Republic of Congo, and Lord Eric Agrumba from Ghana. 

Sidique also showed versatility in the Arts.  Starting off as an amateur actor with the African Players Theatre, he went on to play with  the African All Stars, Sakoba Dance Theatre and the West Yorkshire Playhouse. The latter took him on tour to Europe, Australia and the USA. His big break came when he was invited by the world famous film producer Steven Spielberg of Dreamwork Studios, to become tutor and translator of the Mende language for the many actors in the internationally successful film Amistad.

All that time, he continued to pursue his musical career in the UK and overseas. He was billed to perform at a concert with King Masco at the Hackney Empire in London on 2 October 1999.  Unfortunately  he fell ill before the show took place and was admitted to hospital on 26 September.  He died on Tuesday, 5 October 1999 at the age of 53 and was buried in London on Friday, 8  October.

He is survived by his wife Karin, sons Sheku and (in Sierra Leone) Lansana,  daughter Aminata, brothers Mohamed Zubairu, Ayo Johnson and Alex Foday Kai, and sisters Regina (in USA), Olive, Isatu and Aminata (Baby).