Johnny Clegg, Groundbreaking South African Musician and Anti-Apartheid Activist, Dies at 66

– Johnny Clegg | Park West
South African musician Johnny Clegg (center) meets with SRO Artists’ John Schimmelman, Shawn Werner, Toni Ziemer and Jeff Laramie prior to Clegg’s sold-out show at Park West in Chicago Oct. 29.

Jonathan “Johnny” Clegg OBE OIS, a South African musician, anthropologist and anti-Apartheid activist, who recorded and performed with his bands Juluka and Savuka, and as a solo act, occasionally reuniting with his earlier band partners, has passed away today at the age of 66 at his family home in Johannesburg, South Africa after a long struggle with pancreatic cancer.

His death was confirmed on Facebook by his longtime manager, friend and family spokesman Roddy Quin, who wrote, “Johnny leaves deep footprints in the hearts of every person that considers themselves to be an African. He showed us what it was to assimilate to and embrace other cultures without losing your identity. An anthropologist who used his music to speak to every person. With his unique style of music, he traversed cultural barriers like few others.”

Born June 7, 1953 in Bacup, Lancashire, England, Clegg moved to Johannesburg, South Africa, with his Rhodesian mother when he was six years old. His exposure to Zulu migrant workers during his childhood introduced him to the culture and music. His involvement with black musicians often saw him arrested during Apartheid.

At 17, with Sipho Mchunu, Clegg formed his first band, Juluka. When he was 33, Clegg formed his second inter-racial band, Savuka, with Dudu Zulu. He also recorded several solo albums and sold out shows internationally.

While lecturing at the Universities of the Witwatersrand and Natal, Johnny studied anthropology, often combining his studies with music.

–

Clegg was awarded the Knight of Arts and Letters by the French government in 1991, and in 2015, was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire. In 2012, he received the Order of Ikhamanga from the South African government. He also received honorary degrees from several universities, including Witwatersrand and KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa), as well as Dartmouth College and City University of New York.

Clegg wrote and published the book, UkuBuyisa Isidumbu, in 1981 and presented research papers on “The Music of Zulu Immigrant Workers in Johannesburg” in 1981 at the Grahamstown International Library of African Music and “Towards an Understanding of African Dance: The Zulu Isishameni Style” in 1982 at Rhodes University.

The musician/activist was first diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2015 but continued to tour and perform around the world.

He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Jenny, and their two songs, Jesse and Jaron.

Commented his manager Quin: “His passing has left us numb and we request that the family’s privacy be respected during this trying time.”

The family will conduct a private funeral service. There will be a public service in which fans can pay their respects with details to be announced.