Sorry to hear this. A great singer/musician and a leader in South African pop-rock. Rest in peace.
We're trying to build a monument to show that we were here
It won't be visible through the air
And there won't be any shade to cool the monument to prove that we were here. - Gene Parsons, 1973
I was saddened to see his passing referenced on the cnn.com website a few minutes ago. I was into Savuka in the late 80s, but lost track of his music in recent years.
I collected all of his releases over the years, until quite recently. He's had a few recent live releases which I figured I didn't really need.
- 1979 Juluka - Universal Men
- 1981 Johnny Clegg & Sipho Mchuno (Duo Juluka) + Ladysmith Black Mambazo - Cologne Zulu Festival
- 1981 Juluka - African Litany
- 1982 Juluka - Ubuhle Bemvelo
- 1983 Juluka - Scatterlings*
- 1984 Juluka - Musa Ukungilandela*
- 1984 Juluka - International tracks
- 1987 Savuka - Third World Child
- 1988 Savuka - Shadow Man
- 1989 Savuka - Cruel, Crazy, Beautiful World*
- 1991 Juluka - The Best Of Juluka
- 1993 Savuka - Heat, Dust & Dreams
- 2001 Juluka - Crocodile Love
- 2001 Savuka - Live and Rarities
- 2002 Johnny Clegg - New World Survivor
- 2003 Johnny Clegg A South African Story: Live at the Nelson Mandela Theatre
- 2003 Johnny Clegg/Juluka/Savuka - Live in Paris, Mae Sai & Capetown 1990 (DVD)*
- 2006 Johnny Clegg - One Life
- 2010 Johnny Clegg - Human
- 2010 Johnny Clegg - My Favorite Zulu Street Guitar Songs
- 2017 Johnny Clegg - King of Time
* = the ones I consider essential
Last edited by rcarlberg; 07-17-2019 at 09:30 AM.
A true visionary who always "walked the walk" with his art. He knew how to use music to make the world better place. RIP.
This is terrible news - the last update I'd heard was that the cancer was in remission.
One of the greatest performers I've ever seen - with Juluka, Savuka and solo.
"One day when you wake up I will have to say goodbye..."
RIP Johnny - thanks for the music, the singing and the dancing.
Yeah, sorry to hear this. I was a huge Juluka fan and followed his later career closely. Didn't know about the live things. Must check those out....
Rest in peace, Mr. Clegg.
Last edited by Polypet; 07-24-2019 at 08:20 PM.
And the code is a play, a play is a song, a song is a film, a film is a dance...
There's an interview with his Mum on the DVD which is the most charming thing imaginable.
Johnny's story, of growing up in Johannesburg & learning Zulu dance and music from local musicians, when officially race mixing was against the law, is a remarkable story. The whole Nelson Mandela era of coming out of apartheid is a remarkable story, and Clegg did much to heal the divide.
Last edited by rcarlberg; 07-16-2019 at 10:21 PM.
My brothers and I really got into both Savuka and Juluka. He really brought some fresh sounds to the table, and his voice had a special quality to it. Will be missed.
Juluka was a revelation for me in the early '80s. Such a cool sound and Johnny was a huge part of that. Shocking (I had no idea he was sick) and sad news. He will be sorely missed.
Jon
He lasted four years after a diagnosis of metastatic pancreatic cancer, which is pretty good.Originally Posted by taliesin
Did he have anything to do with 'Sun City' ?
In 1990, while in San Antonio, TX I went to see Tracy Chapman. The opening act was this Johnny Clegg guy. From the first note he hit (he was promoting the Cruel, Crazy, Beautiful World CD) people were up in the isles dancing. No one sat down for 40 minutes until he left the stage. Tracy was good, but I'll always remember that show as my introduction to Johnny Clegg.
Back in the summer of 1989, Johnny Clegg with his band Savuka played in front of 100,000 fans at the Montreal Jazz Festival where I saw his amazing performance. He was mostly popular in his home country. France and Quebec. For some reason, francophones liked him and he never stopped playing there year after year. There are lots of his videos to enjoy on YouTube and we will always remember his stage dynamics, may he be dancing and singing for the angels! RIP.
I never endeavored to hear any Juluka or Savuka but I think I should
Johnny Clegg seems like he was one of this world's beautiful souls
Why is it whenever someone mentions an artist that was clearly progressive (yet not the Symph weenie definition of Prog) do certain people feel compelled to snort "thats not Prog" like a whiny 5th grader?
So many good songs but here are one each from Savuka and Juluka, enjoy.
YouTube doesn't do 'em justice. You gotta hear these on a big stereo.
Good point, the voices and the drums really Shine with volume
I agree with your essential picks though I'd add Stand Your Ground (a couple of weaker songs but 3 or 4 fantastic ones) and Shadow Man (probably my favourite Savuka album). I found Human to be surprisingly good as well for a later album.
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