History of Johnny Clegg in Timeline

Jonathan Paul Clegg, better known as Johnny Clegg, was a South African musician renowned for his unique blend of Western pop music and Zulu musical traditions. Born in England and raised in South Africa, Clegg developed a deep fascination with Zulu culture from a young age. His music often addressed social and political issues, particularly apartheid, making him a prominent voice against racial segregation in South Africa.

1943: Clegg Incorporates Jewish Heritage in Music

Johnny Clegg sometimes incorporated aspects of his Jewish roots into his music, as seen in songs like "Jericho," "Jarusalema," and "Warsaw 1943."

June 1953: Birth of Johnny Clegg

Johnny Clegg was born in Bacup, Lancashire, to an English father and a Rhodesian mother in June 1953.

1969: Meeting Sipho Mchunu

At 16, Johnny Clegg met Sipho Mchunu, a Zulu migrant worker, and they began performing music together as Juluka in 1969.

1976: Johnny Clegg's Musical Debut

Johnny Clegg and Sipho Mchunu formed the duo Johnny & Sipho and released their first single, "Woza Friday," in 1976.

1979: Formation of Juluka

Johnny Clegg and Sipho Mchunu formed the band Juluka, releasing their debut album in 1979.

1979: Juluka's Debut Album and Apartheid Challenges

Juluka released its first album, "Universal Men," in 1979. As a racially mixed band, they faced harassment and censorship in apartheid-era South Africa.

February 1983: "Scatterlings of Africa" Chart Success with Juluka

Johnny Clegg's "Scatterlings of Africa" reached No. 44 on the UK Singles Chart in February 1983, performed by Juluka.

1985: Juluka Disbands

Juluka disbanded in 1985 when Sipho Mchunu retired from music.

1986: "Great Heart" in "Jock of the Bushveld"

"Great Heart" was chosen as the title song for the 1986 film "Jock of the Bushveld."

1986: Formation of Savuka

Johnny Clegg formed his second interracial band, Savuka, with Dudu Zulu in 1986, continuing to blend African music with European influences.

May 1987: "Scatterlings of Africa" Chart Success with Savuka

"Scatterlings of Africa" reached No. 75 on the UK Singles Chart in May 1987, this time performed by Johnny Clegg and Savuka.

1988: "Scatterlings of Africa" Featured in "Rain Man"

"Scatterlings of Africa" was featured on the soundtrack of the Oscar-winning film "Rain Man" in 1988.

1988: Jimmy Buffett Covers "Great Heart"

Jimmy Buffett recorded a cover of "Great Heart" for his album "Hot Water" in 1988.

1989: Death of David Webster

David Webster, a social anthropologist who had influenced Clegg's work at Wits, was assassinated in 1989.

1989: Clegg Clarifies Activism Label

In a 1989 interview with the Sunday Times, Clegg rejected the label of "political activist," stating he didn't belong to any political party but stood for human rights.

1990: "Cruel, Crazy, Beautiful World" in "Opportunity Knocks"

Clegg's song "Cruel, Crazy, Beautiful World" was featured in the 1990 film "Opportunity Knocks."

1991: "Cruel, Crazy, Beautiful World" in "Career Opportunities"

"Cruel, Crazy, Beautiful World" was also included in the 1991 film "Career Opportunities."

1993: Savuka Disbands After Tragedy

Savuka disbanded in 1993 after Dudu Zulu was tragically shot and killed while attempting to mediate a taxi war.

1996: Juluka Reunion and Tour

Clegg and Mchunu briefly reunited Juluka in the mid-1990s, releasing an album and touring globally with King Sunny Adé in 1996.

1996: Clegg Discusses Juluka's Political Stance

In 1996, Johnny Clegg told The Baltimore Sun that while Juluka's music often contained political messages, they didn't initially set out to be a political band, stating, "Politics found us."

1997: Juluka's Brief Reunion

Juluka briefly reunited in the mid-1990s, releasing one final album in 1997 before disbanding permanently.

1997: "Dela" Featured in "George of the Jungle"

Savuka's song "Dela" was included on the soundtrack of the film "George of the Jungle" in 1997.

1999: Mandela Joins Clegg on Stage

During a 1999 concert, Nelson Mandela joined Johnny Clegg on stage, dancing as Clegg performed "Asimbonanga," a song Savuka dedicated to Mandela.

2000: "Great Heart" in "Whispers: An Elephant's Tale"

"Great Heart" was used as the end credits song for the 2000 film "Whispers: An Elephant's Tale."

2003: "Dela" Featured in "George of the Jungle 2"

"Dela" was again featured in the sequel, "George of the Jungle 2," in 2003.

2013: Renewed Interest in Mandela Performance

The video of Mandela dancing with Clegg during the 1999 concert resurfaced and drew significant media attention outside South Africa during Mandela's illness and death in 2013.

2015: Johnny Clegg's Cancer Diagnosis

Johnny Clegg was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2015.

2017: Clegg Diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer

Johnny Clegg was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and underwent surgery in 2017, leading to a reduced touring schedule.

November 2018: Clegg's Final Performance

Johnny Clegg gave his final performance in Harare, Zimbabwe, in November 2018.

July 2019: Johnny Clegg's Death

In July 2019, Johnny Clegg passed away at his home in Johannesburg, surrounded by his family. He was laid to rest at Westpark Cemetery in Johannesburg.