Miriam Makeba: 1932-2008

The great South African vocalist Miriam Makeba, a regal musician and renowned civil rights activist, has reportedly died of a heart attack at the age of 76.   Makeba was Africa’s answer to Ella Fitzgerald, an agile singer whose soaring voice was characterized by a cheerful brightness. And though she had crossover pop success with “Pata Pata” and “The Click Song,” she was anything but a lightweight. Beautiful as a young woman and queenly as an older lady, Makeba was—al...

Read full article Share article