| Shabalala, whose brother Joseph founded and still leads the Ladysmith Black Mambazo, died Saturday of natural causes, said Mike Wilpizeski, a spokesman for the U.S.-based Heads Up International record label. He had suffered from various ailments.
The name of the South African town where he died was not immediately available.
Jockey Shabalala joined Ladysmith Black Mambazo in the 1960s and
featured on Paul Simon's "Graceland" album, which captivated world
audiences and won the Grammy Award for album of the year in 1986.
He continued to tour and record with the group until early last year, when they won a second Grammy for their recording "Raise Your Spirit Higher." He then retired from international travel to spend more time with his family, but continued to perform in South Africa.
The group, which fuses Zulu and gospel music traditions, was touring the United States to promote their latest release, "Long Walk to Freedom," when news of Shabalala's death reached them.
Joseph Shabalala said they would not interrupt the tour. "We must continue to spread our culture and our message of peace, love and harmony," he said in the statement. "Jockey helped me and the rest of the group on this mission for almost 40 years.
As we were performing tonight's encore song, "Amazing Grace," ... I could hear his voice, once again, as part of our harmony. I'll always hear his voice, even as he is now with God." Funeral arrangements were not immediately announced. |
