Headman Shabalala
Encyclopedia
Headman Msongelwa Shabalala (10 October 1945 - 10 December 1991) was a member of Ladysmith Black Mambazo
, a South Africa
n choral group founded and still led by his brother Joseph
.
Headman was born in Ladysmith, in the eMnambithi area and grew up with his brothers Joseph, Jockey
, Enoch, Makhosini and Ben. In 1960, he joined the first incarnation of his brother Joseph's group and became a full-time member alongside his brother Enoch and various cousins and relatives. Singing as a bass voice, Headman added sounds to the songs that would become synonymous with the group's rhythm; the low gruffs and growls and the "clicking" noises (today, they are sounded by Russel Mthembu
and Sibongiseni Shabalala
, respectively).
By the mid-1980s, the line-up had changed rapidly and Headman, along with his brother Joseph and cousin Albert Mazibuko
, were the only original members from the 1960s.
By the start of the 1990s, Ladysmith Black Mambazo had become famous across the world. On 10 December 1991, while driving home from a family gathering in KwaZulu-Natal
, Headman was shot and killed by a white, off-duty security guard in an apparent racially motivated killing.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a male choral group from South Africa that sings in the vocal styles of isicathamiya and mbube. They rose to worldwide prominence as a result of singing with Paul Simon on his album, Graceland and have won multiple awards, including three Grammy Awards...
, a South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n choral group founded and still led by his brother Joseph
Joseph Shabalala
Joseph Shabalala , born Bhekizizwe Joseph Siphatimandla Mxoveni Mshengu Bigboy Shabalala, is the founder and musical director of the South African choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo.-Early life and career:...
.
Headman was born in Ladysmith, in the eMnambithi area and grew up with his brothers Joseph, Jockey
Jockey Shabalala
Jockey Shabalala was a member of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, a South African choral group founded and still led by his brother Joseph....
, Enoch, Makhosini and Ben. In 1960, he joined the first incarnation of his brother Joseph's group and became a full-time member alongside his brother Enoch and various cousins and relatives. Singing as a bass voice, Headman added sounds to the songs that would become synonymous with the group's rhythm; the low gruffs and growls and the "clicking" noises (today, they are sounded by Russel Mthembu
Russel Mthembu
Ndoda Russel Mthembu is a member of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, a South African choral group founded in 1960 - and still led - by close friend Joseph Shabalala....
and Sibongiseni Shabalala
Sibongiseni Shabalala
Sibongiseni Lucas Shabalala is a member of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, a South African choral group founded in 1960 by his father Joseph....
, respectively).
By the mid-1980s, the line-up had changed rapidly and Headman, along with his brother Joseph and cousin Albert Mazibuko
Albert Mazibuko
Mdletshe Albert Mazibuko is a member of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, a South African choral group founded in 1960 - and still led - by his cousin Joseph....
, were the only original members from the 1960s.
By the start of the 1990s, Ladysmith Black Mambazo had become famous across the world. On 10 December 1991, while driving home from a family gathering in KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal is a province of South Africa. Prior to 1994, the territory now known as KwaZulu-Natal was made up of the province of Natal and the homeland of KwaZulu....
, Headman was shot and killed by a white, off-duty security guard in an apparent racially motivated killing.