Memorial Service Held for Reggae Star
By CELEAN JACOBSON
(AP) Members of Lucky Dube's band perform during the memorial service for the slain reggae star in...Full Image
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AP) - Slain reggae star Lucky Dube was remembered at a memorial service by friends and family who railed against his senseless shooting death and his bandmates who entertained a dancing crowd outside by playing some of his songs.
By CELEAN JACOBSON
(AP) Members of Lucky Dube's band perform during the memorial service for the slain reggae star in...Full Image
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AP) - Slain reggae star Lucky Dube was remembered at a memorial service by friends and family who railed against his senseless shooting death and his bandmates who entertained a dancing crowd outside by playing some of his songs.
Dube, 43, was gunned down in front of two of his children last week in an apparent carjacking attempt in suburban Johannesburg. Four men who were arrested in connection with the murder appeared briefly in court Tuesday.
"We have lost a legend, an icon," said Skipha Shabalala, lead guitarist with Dube's band, said Wednesday. "Why was this man killed in such a brutal and barbaric manner?"
Posters of the star with his trademark waist-length dreadlocks covered the walls of the packed Bassline, a popular downtown music venue. Seated on the floor, barefoot and dressed in white, were members of the Shembe, a Zulu Christian sect to which Dube belonged.
Outside, up to 1,500 fans - many wearing the Rastafarian colors of green, gold and red - gathered to watch the service on a large screen.
"Today we are here to mourn, but also to celebrate the life of someone who made us very proud as South Africans," musician Sipho Mabuse said.
Dube, who launched his career in the 1980s with criticism of the apartheid regime, went on to become a huge international star recording more than 20 albums and sharing stages with the likes of Michael Jackson, Peter Gabriel, Ziggy Marley and Sting.
Ivor Haarburger, chief executive of Gallo Records, described Dube as an "enormous talent" who was a quiet and reserved man, but whose stage performances were "amazing."
"We as a nation are shocked and saddened at the news. With this senseless and disturbing act a great spirit has been taken from us. It is a loss felt by millions throughout the world," he said.
Members of Lucky Dube's band perform during the memorial service for the slain reggae star in...Full ImageSouth Africa has one of the highest crime rates in the world, recording an average of 50 murders each day. U.N. crime statistics say one in three Johannesburg residents has been robbed. Rapes and assaults also are common.
Members of Lucky Dube's band perform during the memorial service for the slain reggae star in...Full ImageSouth Africa has one of the highest crime rates in the world, recording an average of 50 murders each day. U.N. crime statistics say one in three Johannesburg residents has been robbed. Rapes and assaults also are common.
Dube expressed his concerns about crime in his lyrics, most notably his 1999 song "Crime and Corruption," in which he wrote: "Do you ever worry about leaving home and coming back in a coffin, with a bullet through your head?"
Messages of condolences were read out during the service, including statements from Peter Gabriel and the presidents of the Gambia and Senegal.
Interspersed throughout the service were performances by some of Dube's fellow musicians, as well as the artist's band. "I am sad. Even if the people who did this are arrested, they will still live," said musician Bhekumuzi Luthuli, barely able to sing for the tears choking him.
In another heartbreaking moment, two of Dube's seven children took to the stage at the end of the service to read out a statement from the family.
"We are going to miss you forever," said a sobbing Laura, holding on to her elder sister Bongi.
Then as Dube's band broke into song, the crowd outside paid tribute to their hero the only way they knew how - by taking to their feet and dancing.
"Love those who gimme war," they cheered as the band played the title song from Dube's latest album "Respect."
"I love those who hate me. I bless even those who curse me. Gimme, gimme respect," they sang.
You know, this is so sad. It breaks my heart. And, "it really pisses me off". This is so senseless and, "you see this crap every day". When is humanity ever going to learn? When are blacks ever going to stop with the black on black crime? Based on what some folks say, "NEVER". Can't prove anything one way or the other, however, based on my time on this Earth, my experiences, my associations, makes me think that maybe some races of people are "mentally inferior". And dont give me that "not politically correct" bs. People, quit the tap dance and see things how they really are!
Rest in peace Lucky.
"The more YOU know, the more YOU grow,
The more YOU grow, the further YOU go'
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