Miriam Makeba
A Grammy Award-winning South African singer, also known as Mama Afrika.
Her professional career began in the 1950s with the Manhattan Brothers, before she formed her own group, The Skylarks, singing a blend of jazz and traditional melodies of South Africa.
In 1959, she performed in the musical King Kong alongside Hugh Masekela, her future husband.
Though she was a successful recording artist, she was only receiving a few dollars for each recording session and no provisional royalties, and was keen to go to the US.
Her break came when she starred in the anti-Apartheid documentary Come Back, Africa in 1959. When the Italian government invited her to the premier of the film at the Venice Film Festival, she decided not to return home.
In 1966, Makeba received the Grammy Award for Best Folk Recording together with Harry Belafonte for An Evening With Belafonte/Makeba.
After the death of her only daughter Bongi Makeba in 1985, she moved to Brussels. In 1987, she appeared in Paul Simon's Graceland tour.
Nelson Mandela persuaded her to return to South Africa in 1990.
Mainly known and popular in her native country of South Africa
for her hit, - "THE CLICK SONG" in the late sixties.
In 2001 she was awarded the Gold Otto Hahn Peace Medal by the United Nations Association of Germany (DGVN) in Berlin, "for outstanding services to peace and international understanding".
On 9 November 2008, she became ill while taking part in a concert organized to support writer Roberto Saviano in his stand against the Camorra, a mafia-like organisation.
The concert was being held in Castel Volturno, near Caserta, Italy. Makeba suffered an heart attack.
A few minutes after her performance, and arrived dead to the "Pineta Grande" hospital. Sadly it was impossible to revive her.
Albums include.
Miriam Makeba: 1960
The Many Voices Of Miriam Makeba: 1960
The World Of Miriam Makeba: 1962
Makeba: 1963
Makeba Sings: 1965
An Evening With Belafonte/Makeba: 1965
The Click Song: 1965
All About Makeba: 1966
Malaisha: 1966
Miriam Makeba In Concert!: 1967
Pata Pata: 1967
Makeba!: 1968
The Promise: 1974
Country Girl: 1975
Pata Pata: 1977
Sangoma: 1988
Welela: 1989
Eyes On Tomorrow: 1991
Sing Me A Song: 1993
A Promise: 1994
Live From Paris & Conakry: 1998
Homeland, 2000
Keep Me In Mind, 2002
Reflections, 2004
Makeba Forever, 2006
All information may be obtained at the web address above.
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