South African singer and songwriter Johnny Clegg, one of the few white artists to openly confront the apartheid government in the late 1970s and 1980s, died on Tuesday, July 16th. He was 66 and had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2015. Two years ago, he embarked on The Final Journey, his last world tour. He was accompanied by his two sons, one of whom is a talented video artist and the other of whom is a wonderful singer/songwriter.
I corralled my son David and the two of us made a pilgrimage to San Diego on October 30, 2017 to see Johnny Clegg one last time. Clegg was, as always, passionate about his music and fully committed to social justice. He and his collaborators fused Western and African cultural influences and defied racial separation at a time and place where this could cost you your life.
I first encountered Johnny Clegg and Savuka...
I corralled my son David and the two of us made a pilgrimage to San Diego on October 30, 2017 to see Johnny Clegg one last time. Clegg was, as always, passionate about his music and fully committed to social justice. He and his collaborators fused Western and African cultural influences and defied racial separation at a time and place where this could cost you your life.
I first encountered Johnny Clegg and Savuka...
- 7/26/2019
- by Elizabeth Stanley
- Trailers from Hell
This story originally ran in the March 22nd, 1990 issue of Rolling Stone.
It was a January in Johannesburg of events unimaginable only months earlier. Merchants in the Saturday flea market hawked T-shirts celebrating the release of seven leaders of the outlawed African National Congress. The New Nation, a radical paper whose editor had been interned and whose publication had been forbidden in the recent past could be found even at the Holiday Inn. Reports abounded that Nelson Mandela, the symbol of resistance to apartheid, would be freed within weeks to...
It was a January in Johannesburg of events unimaginable only months earlier. Merchants in the Saturday flea market hawked T-shirts celebrating the release of seven leaders of the outlawed African National Congress. The New Nation, a radical paper whose editor had been interned and whose publication had been forbidden in the recent past could be found even at the Holiday Inn. Reports abounded that Nelson Mandela, the symbol of resistance to apartheid, would be freed within weeks to...
- 7/19/2019
- by Samuel G. Freedman
- Rollingstone.com
This story originally ran in Issue 632, published on June 11th, 1992.
As a storyteller, every journalist strives for wholeness and symmetry, for a narrative that after all its circumnavigation returns to the beginning, as if to say, “Here, enclosed, is an entire world.” In both the subject and the assignment itself, my profile of Johnny Clegg — the pop star and political activist in South Africa — afforded a remarkable sense of coming full circle.
It was in the late Seventies, in the years immediately after the Soweto uprising, that I became fully...
As a storyteller, every journalist strives for wholeness and symmetry, for a narrative that after all its circumnavigation returns to the beginning, as if to say, “Here, enclosed, is an entire world.” In both the subject and the assignment itself, my profile of Johnny Clegg — the pop star and political activist in South Africa — afforded a remarkable sense of coming full circle.
It was in the late Seventies, in the years immediately after the Soweto uprising, that I became fully...
- 7/18/2019
- by Samuel G. Freedman
- Rollingstone.com
Johnny Clegg — the British-born, South African musician who stood against apartheid in his adopted home and whose work crossed racial divides — died on Tuesday at his home in Johannesburg, Associated Press reports. He was 66.
The singer, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2015, was born in Bacup, Lancashire, England, on June 7, 1953, but moved to South Africa with his mother when he was a child and primarily grew up in Johannesburg. He performed in the bands Juluka and Savuka as well as a solo artist, and attracted an international audience for...
The singer, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2015, was born in Bacup, Lancashire, England, on June 7, 1953, but moved to South Africa with his mother when he was a child and primarily grew up in Johannesburg. He performed in the bands Juluka and Savuka as well as a solo artist, and attracted an international audience for...
- 7/18/2019
- by Althea Legaspi
- Rollingstone.com
Unreleased cover songs by Bruce Springsteen, Tom Morello, Donovan and Tim Robbins highlight the massive compilation celebrating the 21st anniversary of protest music label Appleseed Recordings.
In addition to Springsteen’s take on “We Shall Overcome,” Appleseed’s 21st Anniversary: Roots and Branches exclusively features the rocker’s rendition of the Pete Seeger folk classic “If I Had a Hammer (The Hammer Song).” Morello contributes his version of AC/DC’s “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap,” while Donovan covers Joan Baez’s “Wild Mountain Thyme.”
John Wesley Harding, John Stewart,...
In addition to Springsteen’s take on “We Shall Overcome,” Appleseed’s 21st Anniversary: Roots and Branches exclusively features the rocker’s rendition of the Pete Seeger folk classic “If I Had a Hammer (The Hammer Song).” Morello contributes his version of AC/DC’s “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap,” while Donovan covers Joan Baez’s “Wild Mountain Thyme.”
John Wesley Harding, John Stewart,...
- 8/20/2018
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
Princess Charlene of Monaco has paid tribute to her home country by hosting a South Africa gala in Monte Carlo. The former Olympic swimmer - who married Prince Albert of Monaco last year - honoured her native country with a glamorous gala held at the Monte Carlo Opera House on Saturday (29.09.12). Charlene was joined by Albert and members of her family at the gala, which began a week long celebration of the country, known as Touch of Africa, which ends on October 6. Starting the proceedings was South African musician Johnny Clegg, who took to the stage performing his best loved tracks such as Asimbonanga which roused the crowd to their feet as they danced the night away. Several...
- 10/1/2012
- Monsters and Critics
June 3: Game-show host Chuck Barris ("The Gong Show") is 83. Singer Ian Hunter is 73. Singer Eddie Holman is 66. Bassist Too Slim of Riders in the Sky is 64. Singer Suzi Quatro is 62. Singer Deniece Williams is 61. Singer Dan Hill is 58. Actor Scott Valentine ("Family Ties") is 54. Guitarist Kerry King of Slayer is 48. Singer Mike Gordon of Phish is 47. Newsman Anderson Cooper is 45. Country singer Jamie O'Neal is 44. Singers Ariel and Gabriel Hernandez of No Mercy are 41. Actor Vik Sahay ("Chuck") is 41. Actress Lalaine Dupree ("Lizzie McGuire") is 25.
June 4: Actor Bruce Dern is 76. Singer-actress Michelle Phillips (The Mamas and The Papas) is 68. Bassist Danny Brown of The Fixx is 61. Actor Parker Stevenson is 60. Singer El DeBarge is 51. Singer Al B. Sure! is 44. Actor Scott Wolf ("Party of Five") is 44. Ron Huebel ("What to Expect When You're Expecting") is 43. Comedian Horatio Sanz ("Saturday Night Live") is 43. Actor Noah Wyle ("ER") is 41. Bassist...
June 4: Actor Bruce Dern is 76. Singer-actress Michelle Phillips (The Mamas and The Papas) is 68. Bassist Danny Brown of The Fixx is 61. Actor Parker Stevenson is 60. Singer El DeBarge is 51. Singer Al B. Sure! is 44. Actor Scott Wolf ("Party of Five") is 44. Ron Huebel ("What to Expect When You're Expecting") is 43. Comedian Horatio Sanz ("Saturday Night Live") is 43. Actor Noah Wyle ("ER") is 41. Bassist...
- 5/31/2012
- by AP
- Huffington Post
Kandyse McClure (Battlestar Galactica, Cole) stops by Reel Artsy to share -
Top 5 Things I love about South Africa:
Brimming with tales of adventure from my trip back last year, I was thrilled to receive the call to do a list of my favorite things. Here’s a little glimpse into a wild and wonderful place I like to call home.
1. Rainbow Nation.
People often think of South Africa in terms of Black and White and forget the myriad shades in between. There are 11 national languages in Sa and a plethora of dialects. Africans from all over the continent live and do business in the blossoming economy, the strongest and most stable in Africa. The birthplace of humanity welcomed all its children home at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. It was thrilling to hear so many different languages and cultures celebrating together in the streets of Johannesburg. It’s not so...
Top 5 Things I love about South Africa:
Brimming with tales of adventure from my trip back last year, I was thrilled to receive the call to do a list of my favorite things. Here’s a little glimpse into a wild and wonderful place I like to call home.
1. Rainbow Nation.
People often think of South Africa in terms of Black and White and forget the myriad shades in between. There are 11 national languages in Sa and a plethora of dialects. Africans from all over the continent live and do business in the blossoming economy, the strongest and most stable in Africa. The birthplace of humanity welcomed all its children home at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. It was thrilling to hear so many different languages and cultures celebrating together in the streets of Johannesburg. It’s not so...
- 4/3/2011
- by karen@reelartsy.com (Karen)
- Reelartsy
LookToTheStars.org is happy to announced that Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales, an audiobook that raises funds for Artists for a New South Africa, has won two Audie Awards – including the audiobook industry’s top honor, Audiobook Of The Year.
The selection of folktales from across the African continent is performed by a diverse group of acclaimed actors who donated their time and talents to the effort: Gillian Anderson, Benjamin Bratt, LeVar Burton, Ricardo Chavira, Don Cheadle, Matt Damon, Whoopi Goldberg, Sean Hayes, Hugh Jackman, Samuel L. Jackson, Latanya Richardson, Scarlett Johansson, Debra Messing, Helen Mirren, Parminder Nagra, Sophie Okonedo, Cch Pounder, Alan Rickman, Jurnee Smollett, Charlize Theron, Blair Underwood, Forest Whitaker and Alfre Woodard. Directed by Alfre Woodard, the audiobook features a special message to the world’s children from Archbishop Desmond Tutu and original music by South African legends Johnny Clegg and Vusi Mahlasela.
Read more...
The selection of folktales from across the African continent is performed by a diverse group of acclaimed actors who donated their time and talents to the effort: Gillian Anderson, Benjamin Bratt, LeVar Burton, Ricardo Chavira, Don Cheadle, Matt Damon, Whoopi Goldberg, Sean Hayes, Hugh Jackman, Samuel L. Jackson, Latanya Richardson, Scarlett Johansson, Debra Messing, Helen Mirren, Parminder Nagra, Sophie Okonedo, Cch Pounder, Alan Rickman, Jurnee Smollett, Charlize Theron, Blair Underwood, Forest Whitaker and Alfre Woodard. Directed by Alfre Woodard, the audiobook features a special message to the world’s children from Archbishop Desmond Tutu and original music by South African legends Johnny Clegg and Vusi Mahlasela.
Read more...
- 5/27/2010
- Look to the Stars
The Audio Publishers Association (Apa) has announced three Audie finalists for the prestigious Audiobook of the Year Award and five finalists for the Distinguished Achievement in Production Award – including Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales, a charity release to raise money for Artists for a New South Africa.
The selection of folktales from across the African continent is performed by a diverse group of acclaimed actors who donated their time and talents to the effort: Gillian Anderson, Benjamin Bratt, LeVar Burton, Ricardo Chavira, Don Cheadle, Matt Damon, Whoopi Goldberg, Sean Hayes, Hugh Jackman, Samuel L. Jackson, Latanya Richardson Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Debra Messing, Helen Mirren, Parminder Nagra, Sophie Okonedo, Cch Pounder, Alan Rickman, Jurnee Smollett, Charlize Theron, Blair Underwood, Forest Whitaker and Alfre Woodard. Directed by Alfre Woodard, the audiobook features a special message to the world’s children from Archbishop Desmond Tutu and original music by South African legends Johnny Clegg and Vusi Mahlasela.
The selection of folktales from across the African continent is performed by a diverse group of acclaimed actors who donated their time and talents to the effort: Gillian Anderson, Benjamin Bratt, LeVar Burton, Ricardo Chavira, Don Cheadle, Matt Damon, Whoopi Goldberg, Sean Hayes, Hugh Jackman, Samuel L. Jackson, Latanya Richardson Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Debra Messing, Helen Mirren, Parminder Nagra, Sophie Okonedo, Cch Pounder, Alan Rickman, Jurnee Smollett, Charlize Theron, Blair Underwood, Forest Whitaker and Alfre Woodard. Directed by Alfre Woodard, the audiobook features a special message to the world’s children from Archbishop Desmond Tutu and original music by South African legends Johnny Clegg and Vusi Mahlasela.
- 4/14/2010
- Look to the Stars
Looking for a Christmas gift that gives back? Last year, Look to the Stars brought you a story about Nelson Mandela's audiobook of African folktales read by your favorite stars. We have now learned that the Artists for a New South Africa (Ansa) audiobook has been nominated for a Grammy!
This selection of folktales from across the African continent is performed by a diverse group of acclaimed actors who donated their time and talents to the effort: Gillian Anderson, Benjamin Bratt, LeVar Burton, Ricardo Chavira, Don Cheadle, Matt Damon, Whoopi Goldberg, Sean Hayes, Hugh Jackman, Samuel L. Jackson, Latanya Richardson Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Debra Messing, Helen Mirren, Parminder Nagra, Sophie Okonedo, Cch Pounder, Alan Rickman, Jurnee Smollett, Charlize Theron, Blair Underwood, Forest Whitaker and Alfre Woodard. Directed by Alfre Woodard, the audiobook features a special message to the world’s children from Archbishop Desmond Tutu and original music by...
This selection of folktales from across the African continent is performed by a diverse group of acclaimed actors who donated their time and talents to the effort: Gillian Anderson, Benjamin Bratt, LeVar Burton, Ricardo Chavira, Don Cheadle, Matt Damon, Whoopi Goldberg, Sean Hayes, Hugh Jackman, Samuel L. Jackson, Latanya Richardson Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Debra Messing, Helen Mirren, Parminder Nagra, Sophie Okonedo, Cch Pounder, Alan Rickman, Jurnee Smollett, Charlize Theron, Blair Underwood, Forest Whitaker and Alfre Woodard. Directed by Alfre Woodard, the audiobook features a special message to the world’s children from Archbishop Desmond Tutu and original music by...
- 12/18/2009
- Look to the Stars
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