Johnny Clegg has had a career filled with many accomplishments! From writing songs in various African languages to singing with Mandela. He will be giving us one last tour.
Johnny was born in the UK but was raised in South Africa. He took an interest in African culture. Johnny started playing Zulu street music and performing in traditional Zulu dance competitions. He was arrested at the age of 15 for violating apartheid-era laws in South Africa and started his first band at age 17 with Sipho Mchunu.
Sometimes called Le Zoulou Blanc (“The White Zulu”), he is an important figure in South African popular music history, with songs that mix Zulu with English lyrics and African with various Western music styles.
Over the years he has spoken out against inequality and human rights violations. He has received some of the most prestigious awards including the South African Presidential Ikhamanga award as part of the National Orders ceremony. This award is the highest honour a citizen can receive in South Africa.
His music is phenomenal and we are sad to see him go but so very happy that he will be touring one last time.
“This will be my final set of public performances for my fans in SA and around the world. I am immensely excited to be able to bring to them an autobiographical‚ audiovisual and intimate account of my life through my music and The Dance‚”
Clegg started his global farewell tour with a concert in Cape Town on the 7 July 2017 before playing other South Africa venues and then on to London, France, Dubai, the United States and Canada.
The 64-year-old, who is famed for his multi-ethnic collaborations, told AFP that the decision to bring down the curtain on live performing came after he was diagnosed with cancer in 2015.
“It has been a rewarding career in so many aspects… to be able to unite people through song, especially at a time where it seemed impossible,” he said.
“I want to give my fans some kind of conclusion… (showing) that the journey I started when I was 14-years-old is coming to an end now.
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“My shows are very physical, a lot of dancing, and I have to be strong to do that.”
Clegg’s cancer is in remission after he underwent chemotherapy.
“I would like to present a final farewell while I am still capable of doing it,” he added during an interview in Johannesburg.
Clegg said that the “Final Journey Tour” would be an autobiographical trip through his musical career since he was a boy.
We decided to share one of our favorite videos of Johnny, it includes a very happy Nelson Mandela. He heads up on stage with Johnny Clegg and asks him to please perform the song again so he can dance along. Watch it below,
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