<< Return to Press Releases
PRESS RELEASE:
Johnny Clegg One Life`
01 Nov 2006
With a career spanning 3 decades, Johnny Clegg, one of South Africa's most prolific musicians and performers is no stranger to the music industry. With the release of "Woza Friday", Johnny and Sipho's first hit, Juluka was formed and their debut album, UNIVERSAL MEN, was released. 4 more albums, including AFRICAN LITANY, UBUHLE BEMVELO, WORK FOR ALL and MUSA UKUNGILANDELA were released, before the band split in 1985.
In 1986 Savuka was formed and the album 3RD WORLD CHILD was borne. Three years later, Savuka's hard work and tenacity had finally paid off and the band was reaping its rewards, with an ever growing fan base and phenomenal album sales! By the end of 1989 Savuka had sold over 1 million copies of their debut album, and their 2nd release had already sold over 700 000 units. The band's popularity was reflected in the music charts, with both their albums holding the No.1 and No.2 spots simultaneously on the album charts and the singles "Asimbonanga" and "Scatterlings of Africa" entering the singles charts at No.1 and No.7 respectively! In 1993 Savuka received the recognition they deserved by being nominated for a Grammy Award for Best World Music Album.
By combining African music structures with Celtic folk music and international rock sounds, Johnny pioneered a new and unique sound, establishing himself as South Africa's biggest musical export. From Europe to the States, from Australia to Potchefstroom, audiences in sold out venues have danced to "Cruel, Crazy Beautiful World", "Crocodile Love", "I Call Your Name", "Take My Heart Away", and "African Sky Blue".
ONE LIFE, Johnny's latest release, features his first ever Zulu-Afrikaans crossover song as well as the first song( ever?) written in three languages French,Zulu and English. One life is an album containing both political and personal songs. We are all given one life which is precious and unique. At the same time , all Life on the planet is inter -linked and connected into a single planetary force. The private and political choices we make affect how our ONE LIFE influences the greater whole and so the songs look at the politics of betrayal , love ,power, masculinity, the feminine, and survival/work. Our one life is connected to the One Life. We each have a story to tell and many of the songs take on a narrative structure to emphasize the story telling nature of how we make meaning in the world.Sometimes this is in the first person , sometimes as a report. Finally ,listen and connect and enjoy your One life with Johnny Clegg's.
