A Message About Our Dear Friend, Pete Seeger.... We heard that Pete Seeger died today. Pete was a close friend to Ladysmith Black Mambazo. He used to meet with us when we were passing through New York City & talk about indigenous music & the need to preserve it. He loved African music & African traditions and saw, in us, a way to keep alive some of these traditions. On many occasions he would come to our concerts, with his lovely wife Toshi, who preceded Pete by 6 months. We often talked of doing a concert, or more, together but the schedules didnt work out until October 2006 when Carnegie Hall, in NYC, asked us to present a concert of Ladysmith Black Mambazo & Friends. They wanted us to invite guests to join the show. Pete Seeger was our first phone call. Of course he said yes. We told Pete we would send a car service to his house, about 70 miles north of NYC, and bring him to the event. Car service? Pete questioned. Oh, that wont be necessary, Ill just take the train down. On the day of the show, as some of us stood outside the concert venue, there walked 86 year old Pete, with the stride of a 30 year old, banjo in a bag over his shoulder, coming towards us ready to make the evening a great joy. He wouldnt even consider a hotel for the night. Have to get home to Toshi he said. At the concert that evening we were able to perform the classic Zulu song Mbube with Pete. Of course, Pete Seeger introduced to western ears the song as Wimoweh thinking those were the words the singer, Solomon Linda, was originally singing. Pete Seeger was a champion for spreading peace. We will miss our dear friend immensely and honor our time with him deeply. Uhambe kahle Pete Seeger.
Posted on: Wed, 29 Jan 2014 01:16:07 +0000
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