Hilton Rosenthal and Professor David Peimer
Johnny Clegg: Le Zulu Blanc: A Remarkable South African Musician and Anthropologist, Part 2 (with Special Guest Jesse Clegg)
Summary
Johnny Clegg was a unique South African musician. He was born in Manchester to a Jewish mother, but grew up in South Africa and immersed himself in Zulu culture, music and dance. During apartheid, he transcended the racial divide and he created a real fusion of Scottish, Celtic and Zulu music which was globally renowned. Professor David Peimer will interview Hilton Rosenthal, Johnny’s very close friend and producer. Together, they will explore the inspiring life and times of Johnny Clegg. They will be joined by special guest Jesse Clegg, Johnny Clegg’s son.
Hilton Rosenthal
Hilton Rosenthal has been in the music business since graduating from Wits University in 1972, when he joined CBS (now Sony) in South Africa. In 1978 he signed Johnny Clegg and his partner Sipho Mchunu, producing and publishing all of Juluka’s and Savuka’s albums. He started his own independent label in 1980, which he sold to EMI years later before moving to set up a studio in Los Angeles. Artists Hilton has worked with include Paul Simon, Carole King, Harry Belafonte, Foreigner, and Christopher Cross. He currently lives in Sydney, Australia.
Professor David Peimer
David Peimer is a Professor of Literature, Film and Theatre in the UK. He has worked for the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, New York University (Global Division) and was a Fulbright Scholar at Columbia University. Born in South Africa, David has won numerous awards for playwriting and directing in New York, UK, Berlin, EU Parliament (Brussels), Athens, Budapest, Zululand and more. He has most recently directed Dame Janet Suzman in his own play, Joanna’s Story, at London Jewish Book Week. He has published widely with books including: Armed Response: Plays from South Africa, the digital book, Theatre in the Camps. He is on the board of the Pinter Centre (London), and has been involved with the Mandela Foundation, Vaclav Havel Foundation and directed a range of plays at Mr Havel’s Prague theatre.