Joseph Shabalala dies (Ladysmith Black Mambazo founder)
Joseph Shabalala dies (Ladysmith Black Mambazo founder)
Joseph Shabalala the founder member of Ladysmith Black Mambazo in 1998 died at the age of 78. This is the man that introduced the sounds of traditional Zulu music to the world.
He was best known as the founder and director of choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, which won five Grammy awards and featured heavily on Paul Simon's Graceland album. Joseph gave his life in Pretoria hospital South Africa; this has been confirmed by the band manager.
Joseph Shabalala was in 1941, he was the eldest of eight children living on a farm in Tugela, near the town of Ladysmith in South Africa. Ladysmith Black Mambazo dominated South Africa Music in the 1970S and 1980s
He later became the leader and main composer for the choir, introducing indigenous Zulu songs and dances with South African isicathamiya, an a capella tradition.
The band achieved global recognition after they joined hands to sing on Paul Simon's multi-million-selling Graceland album, most notably on Homeless, a song Shabalala co-wrote with Simon, based on the melody for a traditional Zulu wedding song.
The band joined Simon on his subsequent world tour. In return, he produced their next three albums - with 1987's Shaka Zulu winning a Grammy for best traditional folk recording.
Shabalala retired from active performance in 2014 shortly after performing at a memorial concert for Nelson Mandela.
Upon his retirement he continued to teach traditional choral music, while four of his sons (and one grandson) continued his legacy within Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
News monitored with courtesy of BBC News events.
Joseph Shabalala the founder member of Ladysmith Black Mambazo in 1998 died at the age of 78. This is the man that introduced the sounds of traditional Zulu music to the world.
He was best known as the founder and director of choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, which won five Grammy awards and featured heavily on Paul Simon's Graceland album. Joseph gave his life in Pretoria hospital South Africa; this has been confirmed by the band manager.
Joseph Shabalala was in 1941, he was the eldest of eight children living on a farm in Tugela, near the town of Ladysmith in South Africa. Ladysmith Black Mambazo dominated South Africa Music in the 1970S and 1980s
He later became the leader and main composer for the choir, introducing indigenous Zulu songs and dances with South African isicathamiya, an a capella tradition.
The band achieved global recognition after they joined hands to sing on Paul Simon's multi-million-selling Graceland album, most notably on Homeless, a song Shabalala co-wrote with Simon, based on the melody for a traditional Zulu wedding song.
The band joined Simon on his subsequent world tour. In return, he produced their next three albums - with 1987's Shaka Zulu winning a Grammy for best traditional folk recording.
Shabalala retired from active performance in 2014 shortly after performing at a memorial concert for Nelson Mandela.
Upon his retirement he continued to teach traditional choral music, while four of his sons (and one grandson) continued his legacy within Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
News monitored with courtesy of BBC News events.