Ladysmith Black Mambazo Member Killed

[CShine]

DURBAN, South Africa - Ben Shabalala, a longtime member of South Africa's most famous a cappella ensemble, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, was shot and killed on June 16. He was believed to be in his late 40s.

Shabalala, whose brother Joseph founded and still leads the group, was killed in a Durban suburb under unknown circumstances, said Mike Wilpizeski, a spokesman for the U.S.-based Heads Up International record label. Police were investigating Tuesday.

Ben Shabalala first joined the band in 1979, lending his voice to Paul Simon's "Graceland" album, which captivated world audiences and won the Grammy Award for album of the year in 1986.

He was also part of Ladysmith Black Mambazo's "Shaka Zulu" recording, which picked up a Grammy for best traditional folk album the following year. Shabalala retired from the band, which fuses Zulu and gospel music traditions, in 1993.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=495&ncid=762&e=7&u=/ap/20040623/ap_en_mu/obit_shabalala

[Richardo]

1. Terrible news. My heart goes out to his family.

LBM is one of my favorite groups. Was just listening to "Journey of Dreams" last night. :cry:

[DoYouEverWonder]

2. That at least the 2nd brother

that has met a violent death in their family. What a waste. What a shame.

[proud patriot]

9. Yes second brother to be killed

I was blessed to of seen a Ladysmith concert about
15 years ago . I'm deeply saddened :cry:

[Shakespeare]

3. Oh no.

:cry:

[flamingyouth]

4. Sad news

I've seen them several times in concert and have always loved them. My sympathies to his family.

[Eye and Monkey]

5. From Shaka Zulu -

"We are asking for peace in the world"

To DUers who don't know Ladysmith, the words and voices move at a vibration that tunes the soul.

We have suffered as it is,
Sympathize with us
Aye
It is well in our land of Ladysmith.
"The Earth Never Gets Fat" from Shaka Zulu 1987

[SheepyMcSheepster]

6. sad to hear

R.I.P. Ben Shabalala
:(

[aquart]

7. Damn, damn, damn.

[lumpy]

8. Sad to hear of this

Another voice lost to the world.

[Justpat]

10. Sad news

I was just listening to Shaka Zulu last night on the computer.