Planno, born 6 September 1929, was a revered community leader in West Kingston. His advocacy for and on behalf of the Rastafari brethren, the poor, and Black people as a whole made him a highly respected 'elder by the age of 30. In 1955 Planno along with Sam Brown and others established a branch of the Ethiopian World Federation, Local 37, and this was to become a central administrative link for organizing the Rastafari movement in Kingston. In 1959, Planno wrote to the principal of the University College of the West Indies, Prof. Arthur Lewis requesting intervention on behalf of the brethren who were being persecuted because their mission had been largely misunderstood. Planno's engagement with the University resulted in the first formal study of the Movement which produced a “Report on Rastafari". This research led to the 1961 Government of Jamaica fact finding mission to Africa, of which Planno was a member.

 

In subsequent years Planno assumed the role of Chief Spokesperson for Rastafari. This role was to be later confirmed when he appeared at the centre of a potential international fiasco when His Imperial Majesty's arrival in Jamaica in 1966 was greeted with such enthusiasm that the well-wishers disrupted all protocol and stormed the tarmac with palm leaves and torches hailing the arrival of the Negus Negast or King of Kings. It was Planno who was called by the Emperor to restore order. Planno executed his order with such command that he was able to pacify the multitude, allowing the Emperor to embark on his official three day tour. This event was captured by many news media and Planno's image on the plane steps, in front of the Emperor, addressing the crowds has become one of the great memories of the Rastafari experience in Jamaica.

 

His life and work over fifty years saw Planno touring some fifteen African states, the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Cuba, and includes his participation on a second fact-finding mission to Africa. Later came his autobiographical work, “The Earth Most Strangest Man", and his installation as the University of the West Indies' first fellow of Folk Philosophy. Planno is recognized as one of Bob Marley's early teachers, and is one of the most established elders as far as his written legacy is concerned. Planno died in 2006 at the age of 76.