Obit: Ben Shabalala RIP

Subject: Obit: Ben Shabalala RIP
From: GUEST,Mary Katherine
Date: 23 Jun 04 - 10:20 AM

FROM: Scotsman.com ~

http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=3102593

Ben Shabalala, a member of South Africa's most famous a
cappella ensemble, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, was shot and
killed in unknown circumstances, the group's record company
said tonight. He was in his late 40s.

Shabalala, whose brother Joseph founded and still leads the
group, was killed on June 16 in a suburb of the port city of
Durban, said Mike Wilpizeski, a spokesman for the US-based
Heads Up International record label. Police are
investigating.

Ben Shabalala first joined the band in 1979, lending his
voice to Paul Simon's Graceland album, which captivated
world audiences and won the Grammy Award for album of the
year in 1986.

He was also part of Ladysmith Black Mambazo's Shaka Zulu
recording, which also picked up a Grammy for best
traditional folk album the following year.

After years of touring the world, Shabalala retired from the
band in 1993 to spend more time with his family.

The group, which fuses Zulu and gospel music traditions, is
on tour promoting its latest release, Raise Your Spirit
Higher, which celebrates the 10th anniversary of the end of
apartheid. The tour will continue in honour of his memory.

"Ben was not just my brother, but is a part of my history,"
Joseph Shabalala said in a statement. "He is a part of
Ladysmith Black Mambazo's legacy. While his life has ended
in this terrible way, his voice, his memory and his spirit
will continue on with Ladysmith Black Mambazo."

Ben Shabalala is survived by his wife and four children. A
funeral is planned for Saturday in Durban.
---

Subject: RE: Obit: Ben Shabalala RIP
From: Amos
Date: 23 Jun 04 - 10:44 AM

God, how awful it gets.

A

Subject: RE: Obit: Ben Shabalala RIP
From: Backstage Manager(inactive)
Date: 23 Jun 04 - 11:32 AM

I might be wrong, but I think that another Shabalala brother who was part of Ladysmith Black Mambazo was murdered several years ago.

I've had the privilege of seeing Ladysmith Black Mambazo perform on several occasions. They are, perhaps, the world's greatest a cappella ensemble.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ben Shabalala RIP
From: Mark Clark
Date: 23 Jun 04 - 12:46 PM

I've never seen them perform but I love their music. Thanks, Mary Katherine, for letting us know. I'm sure sorry to hear the news.

      - Mark

Subject: RE: Obit: Ben Shabalala RIP
From: GUEST,Mary Katherine
Date: 23 Jun 04 - 03:12 PM

Yes, Backstage Manager, you are correct. The oldest brother in the family, Headman Shabalala, was stopped at a checkpoint and shot in the head through the driver's side window by a (white) guard in their home town about 5-7 years ago. Joseph said the same thing then: our hearts are empty but our music will go on.

Mary Katherine