Spokes Mashiyane, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death
TweetSpokes Mashiyane
South African musician
Date of Birth: 20-Jan-1933
Place of Birth: Mamelodi, Gauteng, South Africa
Date of Death: 09-Feb-1972
Profession: saxophonist
Nationality: South Africa
Zodiac Sign: Aquarius 
About Spokes Mashiyane
- Johannes "Spokes" Mashiyane (born Vlakfontein (Mamelodi), Pretoria 20 January 1933; died at Baragwanath Hospital of cirrhosis of liver 9 February 1972) was regarded as one of the greatest pennywhistle artists who graced the South African kwela music scene from the 1950s to (approximately) the 1970s.
- Arriving on the pennywhistle band scene as a juvenile domestic servant from the northern Sotho communities in the Transvaal alongside contemporaries of Alexandra boys such as Lemmy Mabaso, Barney Rachabane, Elias and Jack Lerole.
- He stated that the pennywhistle's simplicity allowed for greater freedom to bend and blend notes.
- The success of his recordings provided significant revenue for his recording company, Gallo Record Company, to which he had switched in 1958.
- His success gained international notice by the 1960s - he played with Bud Shank among others during their visit to South Africa - and in July 1965 he was invited to the Newport Folk Festival.
- This festival gained notoriety for the Electric Dylan controversy, but Spokes performance at the festival did receive notice and praise from Robert Shelton.
- Spokes's work also had an influence on the Music of Zimbabwe.
- He claimed that the inspiration for his songs were from his dreams.
- He played with other kwela greats of his time and his music is enjoyed by many to this day.
- He married his wife Mary in 1964, and they had two sons, Frederick and Eugene. In 1989, South African band Mango Groove released Special Star as a tribute to Mashiyane. More information on Spokes Mashiyane and other kwela music artists available over here [1]
Read more at Wikipedia