They found fame in the West, or America at least, in the late 1980s when they appeared on Paul Simon's Graceland. By that time the group had already been around for a quarter of a century plus having been formed in 1960 by Bhekizizwe Joseph Shabalala. As if to get the "hit" out of the way, they opened with "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes". At least I think so as my music-loving companion with me at the show knew only that it was their popular song from Graceland.
Although Joseph Shabalala passed on in 2020, his sons carry on his legacy in the group. If memory serves, 4 of them were onstage that night. The various members took turns doing lead vocals at the front of the stage and I was blown away. I don't know that I'd heard much of their music before and it was simply wonderful. Those vocal harmonies!
Aside from the sheer melodious overload, the lyrics were largely hopeful and joyous. Some songs were in English while the rest were in their native tongue, I believe - Zulu? "You Make Me Happy" may have been in my native tongue but I didn't need to understand the non-English lyrics of "Ukuthula (Joy, Peace & Happiness)" to feel its positive vibe.
If mirth wasn't the main feeling of a song then it was hope. There was a tune, "Phansi Emigodini (Deep Down in the Mines)", dedicated to the miners of their homeland who break their backs day in and day out as well as one called "Tough Times Never Last" which speaks of the resilience of black South Africans.
"Ukuthula" is sung in Zulu(?) and English and no greater example of what Ladysmith Black Mambazo is about happened as my companion and I were walking down the street. A young couple with two small children who had been at the show were walking to their car and the mother was singing as she strolled down the sidewalk - "I've have joy, peace, and happiness!"
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