Johnny Clegg

Jonathan "Johnny" Clegg (7 June 1953 – 16 July 2019) was a British-born musician from South Africa. He was in the bands Juluka and Savuka.

Johnny Clegg
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Background information
Birth nameJonathan Clegg
Also known asJohnny Clegg
Le Zoulou Blanc
Born(1953-06-07)7 June 1953
Bacup, Lancashire, England
Died16 July 2019(2019-07-16) (aged 66)
Johannesburg, South Africa
GenresMbaqanga, Afro-pop
InstrumentsVocals, guitar, concertina
Years active1980–2017
LabelsCapitol Records
Associated actsJuluka, Savuka
Websitejohnnyclegg.com
Past membersSipho Mchunu (Juluka), Dudu Mntowaziwayo Ndlovu (Savuka)

Career

Juluka were able to tour in Europe. They had two platinum and five gold albums. They were an international success. The Savuka album Shadow Man sold 250,000 copies within a week after its release. It sold more than 1,000,000 copies in France alone.[1]

His song "Scatterlings of Africa" was on the soundtrack to the 1988 Oscar winning movie Rain Man. This song is his only entry in the UK Singles Chart to date. It reached #75 in May 1987.[2] He also did music for the movie The Lion King 1½, George of the Jungle and Opportunity Knocks.

Death

Clegg was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2015.[3] He retired in 2017. Clegg died on 16 July 2019 at his home in Johannesburg from the disease at the age of 66.[4]

Recognition

Johnny Clegg Media

References