Obit: Johnny Clegg (1953-2019)

Subject: Obit: Johnny Clegg
From: Neil D
Date: 17 Jul 19 - 01:00 AM

Back in the 80's I turned on my TV and was greeted by some amazing music like I had never heard before. It was an integrated band being fronted by a white guy singing Zulu music and dancing the Warrior Dance. It was my introduction to African music which I came to love in all its forms and still frequently listen to.
This band was Suvuka and the front man was the incredible Johnny Clegg, Le Zoulou Blanc (White Zulu). As I came to know his story, of being arrested for the first time at age 15 for being caught in the black parts of Johannesburg after curfew; he was arrested several times but they couldn't stop his embrace of Zulu culture, its language, music and dance; I came to think he was the coolest white guy on earth. Perhaps he was. I know he never stopped fighting for human rights while exposing Zulu culture to the world.
Yesterday he succumbed to a four year battle with pancreatic cancer and I wept for him. I'll send him on with his own words from his song "The Crossing":

Chorus: O Siyeza, o siyeza, sizofika webaba noma
(we are coming, we are coming, we will arrive soon)
O siyeza, o siyeza, siyagudle lomhlaba
(we are coming, we are coming, we are moving across this earth)
Siyawela lapheshaya lulezontaba ezimnyama
(we are crossing over those dark mountains)
Lapha sobheka phansi konke ukhulupheka
(where we will lay down our troubles)

Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Clegg
From: rich-joy
Date: 17 Jul 19 - 02:39 AM

Oh yes, a brilliant performer and a brilliant human being!
I shed a tear, but the world is a better place for him being here.

He Will Be Missed.

Vale, Johnny Clegg.

R-J, Down Under


ASIMBONANGA (with Nelson Mandela) :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGS7SpI7obY

SCATTERLINGS of AFRICA :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ca2uVZuiY0

Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Clegg
From: GUEST,HiLo
Date: 17 Jul 19 - 03:57 AM

Very sad news, very sad. Scattering of Africa is one the best albums I have ever heard. I play it often and I never cease to be amazed. he was a brave man and a great musician.

Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Clegg (1953-2019)
From: G-Force
Date: 17 Jul 19 - 05:15 AM

Yes, I listen often to 'In My African Dream - The Best of Johnny Clegg & Savuka'. Very highly recommended. Very sad that he's gone.

Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Clegg (1953-2019)
From: Vic Smith
Date: 17 Jul 19 - 07:01 AM

A really great performer and musician and a dedicated activist,

Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Clegg (1953-2019)
From: GUEST,keberoxu
Date: 17 Jul 19 - 11:13 AM

I heard a radio broadcast of
a recording of Johnny Clegg and his band
singing the same Hindu/Vedic raga,
beloved by Gandhi,
that the Weavers sang in performance --

raghupati raghav raja ram
patit pavan sita ram       and so on.

except that Clegg sang, "Love al-migh-ty ra-ga!"

Unforgettable.
If I can find it, I will post a link.

Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Clegg (1953-2019)
From: GUEST,LynnH
Date: 19 Jul 19 - 01:34 PM

What he got up to and the energy he expended on stage made Mick Jagger look positively lame!
YouTube is full of tributes - South African broadcasting stations at the forefront.

Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Clegg (1953-2019)
From: rich-joy
Date: 19 Jul 19 - 07:08 PM

I found this message from JC online, and as someone with firsthand experience of my beloved partner suffering and dying from a rare cancer and chemo side effects in only one year, I am filled with EVEN MORE admiration for the force for Love that was Johnny Clegg!! How he managed to do his touring and performing over the last 4 years with this going on, is nothing short of Miraculous and Extraordinary :

"Johnny Clegg
22 August 2018 ·
On the 9th of April 2015 I was diagnosed with stage 2 pancreatic cancer. Two days later I had a 7 hour Whipple operation removing half my pancreas, my gall bladder, bile duct, duodenum and half my stomach. Six weeks later I went onto a six months chemotherapy regimen (Gemcitabine) and at the end of November 2015 I was pronounced in remission.
In 2016 I continued with my career but in August the cancer reappeared and I went into another six months of chemo (Folfirinox) and in February 2017, I was again pronounced in remission.
At this point, I discussed my career with my family and my management as it was hard to tell what the future held for me health wise. It was decided to do a world - wide Final Journey tour to say farewell to my public supporters while I was still strong and able to perform both mentally and physically.
I started in South Africa, then London and Dubai but unfortunately, after the USA and Canadian leg in October 2017, the cancer re-emerged again with a very high tumor count as well as lesions in my lungs. This moved my level
from stage 2 to stage 4.
I had to undergo tests and go back on chemo (Abraxane and Gemcitabine). The world tour had to be postponed which included France, Switzerland, Australia, Zimbabwe, and Mauritius amongst other places where promoters were
interested in staging the Final Journey show.
Three weeks ago my third 6 month chemo cycle finished. One small lesion in the right upper lung is still slightly active and it will probably have to be removed by radiation treatment. I expect this to be an ongoing challenge.
It has been an incredible journey with incalculable support from my wife Jenny and my sons Jesse and Jaron, as well as extended family, management, friends, musicians, colleagues, oncologists and fans.
I will re-commence the world - wide Final Journey concerts for some of the territories abandoned last year due to the health issue, starting with Mauritius and then Zimbabwe. France and other territories will have to wait till 2019 and further prognosis related to my lungs.
The good news is my new album, King of Time, will be released France in September and I will spend a week there doing media promoting the album.
Hope to see you somewhere on the road!
Johnny

https://www.facebook.com/Johnny-Clegg-please-come-to-New-Zealand-and-Australia-1680704931945357/

He was one in a million .....
Vale, Johnny.


R-J

Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Clegg (1953-2019)
From: Neil D
Date: 19 Jul 19 - 09:59 PM

What a warrior! Pancreatic is one of the deadliest of all cancers. To survive it for 4 years is incredible. My one 6 month chemo experience was pure hell; I can't even imagine 3 cycles in 3 years. And to complete a world tour and produce an album during that period, such a fire that burned within.
Thanks for the YouTube links. I used to make them all the time but have forgotten how to do it.

Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Clegg (1953-2019)
From: rich-joy
Date: 19 Jul 19 - 11:59 PM

Agreed, Neil D!
This is one of my fave clips, mixing a beautiful song with beautiful pics of his beloved Sth Africa :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQ2jWD0XO7w

I find it SO moving ....
R-J

Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Clegg (1953-2019)
From: rich-joy
Date: 20 Jul 19 - 12:04 AM

I should have said - that last was a link to Johnny & Savuka from "Heat, Dust, and Dreams", doing "The Crossing"......

Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Clegg (1953-2019)
From: Vic Smith
Date: 20 Jul 19 - 07:40 AM

Here is the obituary to Johnny Clegg in today's The Guardian written by Robin Denselow.

Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Clegg (1953-2019)
From: GUEST,LynnH
Date: 20 Jul 19 - 01:05 PM

Even Der Spiegel has an obit for him!

Subject: RE: Obit: Johnny Clegg (1953-2019)
From: GUEST,St Ruth
Date: 21 Jul 19 - 10:33 PM

Beautiful Johnny gone but you will never be forgotten - strong like to the end my friend.

My youth was spent in Cape Town and Johnny was an inspiration to so many of us. His music reached our hearts and minds. We danced until our feet hurt and our spirit flew free. Everyone was united through the songs !

On his death day i listened to all his music I own all day and into the evening. Brought back loads of happy memories and tears at the loss of this great man.

Rest in Peace Boetie

Big love for the next part of your journey - x Ruth

Subject: DISCUSSING Johnny Clegg's "Scatterling of Africa"
From: Felipa
Date: 12 Jul 22 - 08:28 PM

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/scatterling-of-africa-reading-discussion-tickets-247854498477

Monthly discussions through Nov 2022

"Anthropologists contextualise that which they are studying. In this case, we explore the context in which we imagine Scatterling of Africa came to be. This includes discussions of our own views and values tied to Johnny Clegg's stories and songs. We welcome an open discussion of African societies, politics, economics, environments, and technologies - anything and everything that may have shaped the man and the music. We can share videos, articles, tracks, lyrics, personal accounts, and more."

The free discussion sessions started in Feb. Next date is SATURDAY 30 JULY Part 4 Tradition followed by 13 Aug. Part 5 Migration 10 Sept. Part 6 Transgression 8 Oct Part 7 Transmigration and 12 Nov. Conclusions, closing
All discussions are at 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM SAST