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Johnny CleggSouth African musician
Date of Birth: 07.06.1953
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
- Jonathan "Johnny" Clegg: A South African Musical Pioneer
- Juluka: Breaking Barriers Through Music
- Savuka: Chart-Topping Success
- Later Career and Legacy
Jonathan "Johnny" Clegg: A South African Musical Pioneer
Early Life and InfluencesJonathan "Johnny" Clegg was born in Bacup, Lancashire, England, in 1953. His mother's ancestors were Lithuanian and Polish Jews, and he was raised in a secular Jewish tradition. From a young age, he developed a passion for Zulu music and anthropology, which he later studied at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.
Juluka: Breaking Barriers Through Music
In 1969, Clegg co-founded "Juluka," South Africa's first racially mixed band, with Zulu musician Sipho Mchunu. Despite facing the disapproval of the apartheid government, their music found underground success. Their songs often carried political undertones, advocating for social justice and the release of Nelson Mandela. As a result, Clegg and his bandmates faced arrests and concert cancellations.
Savuka: Chart-Topping Success
After Juluka's disbandment in 1986, Clegg formed "Savuka," a band that blended African, Western, and Celtic influences. Their album "Shadow Man" sold 250,000 copies in a week and topped charts in Canada and France. Savuka's success continued with the albums "Cruel, Crazy Beautiful World" and "Heat, Dust and Dreams," the latter of which earned a Grammy nomination.
Later Career and Legacy
Clegg briefly reunited Juluka in the mid-1990s and toured extensively in the United States. As a solo artist, he has continued to release albums and perform worldwide. His 2010 album "Human" was followed by tours of Europe and North America in 2011. In 2012, he performed in the United States and France.
Throughout his career, Clegg has been recognized as a pioneer in South African music, bridging cultural divides through his unique blend of Zulu and Western traditions. His songs have become anthems of social change and unity, leaving an enduring legacy in the global music scene.
