Died On This Date (November 10, 2008) Miriam Makeba / South African Singing Star

themusicsover November 10, 2009 0 Comments

Miriam Mekeba
March 4, 1932 – November 10, 2008

Mariam Makeba was a Grammy winning South African singer who came to prominence during the 1960s.  It was Harry Belafonte who was instrumental in her coming to America to land a record deal and continue her career.  Makeba received a Grammy for Best Folk Recording in 1966.  Exiled from South Africa for many years due to her outspoken political beliefs, Makeba spent many years living in various places, praised for her goodwill gestures, at one point even being a Guinian delegate to the United Nations.  In 1990, Nelson Mandela convinced her to come back to South Africa.    On November 9, 2008, Miriam Makeba, 76, suffered a heart attack while performing her biggest hit, “Pata Pata” at a human rights concert in Italy.  She died as a result the next day.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.

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