Johnny Clegg

Brief Biography

The influence of this internationally-acclaimed artist transcends his joyful fusion of Western pop and African Zulu rhythms. Musical activism has made Johnny Clegg one of South Africa’s most celebrated sons, and an inspiration around the world. During apartheid-era South Africa, when it was illegal for his seminal mixed-race band, Jaluka, to perform in public, his first album became a word-of-mouth, underground hit. Political in their music, Johnny Clegg and his band mates were arrested several times, and their concerts were routinely broken up. Jaluka later became an international success with two platinum and five gold albums. After Jaluka, Johnny Clegg went on to form his second inter-racial band, Savuka. It too earned a huge international audience, and once even overshadowed and forced the cancellation of a performance by superstar Michael Jackson in Lyon, France. Johnny Clegg has performed in all of Nelson Mandela’s Aids Awareness Concerts. Mandela even joined him on stage during a rendition of Asimbonanga, a song he wrote about Mandela and other struggle heroes. During an impressive and storied career spanning more than three decades, Johnny Clegg has issued 21 studio albums, 5 live albums and 3 DVDs. His music is lively, spirited and stirring, and is guaranteed to bring Mariposa’s audience to its feet.

ARTIST WEBSITE: www.johnnyclegg.com

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