A00114 - Billy Valentine

 

A Heart Is A House For Love

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A00113 - Michael Wright, African American Actor Best Known for His Role as Eddie Kane, Jr., in "The Five Heartbeats"

 

Michael Wright
Born	April 30, 1956 New York City, U.S.
Died	August 19, 2026 (aged 70) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1978–2026
Children	5

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 Received notice this evening of the passing of Michael Wright (see below).  He was not a big star, but he performed in one of my favorite movies of all time The Five Heartbeats, and he was featured in two of my favorite musical numbers from the film. The first is the defining song from the movie, "A Heart is a House for Love"

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and the second is the redeeming song from the movie, "I Feel Like Going On" 

The Five Heartbeats - I Feel Like Going On - YouTube

There was something about this movie that brought me great joy in 1991 and still brings me joy today.  And while, Michael Wright did not actually sing the songs, his performance was one that I will remember for all time.

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

Class of 1975

August 22, 2026 

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Michael Wright (April 30, 1956 – August 21, 2026) was an American actor best known for his roles in the films The Five Heartbeats (1991),[1] Streamers (1983) for which he won the Volpi Cup for Best Actor, and Sugar Hill (1994), and for his television roles Elias Taylor in V: The Series (1984–1985),[2] Omar White in Oz (2001–2003), and Lazarus Prime in Black Lightning (2019).

Early life

 

Wright was born and raised in New York City and was a graduate of the New Lincoln School[3].

Career

 

By 1978 he had entered the professional stage.[3]

Wright's work in television included the 1983 NBC science fiction miniseries V, the 1984 sequel V The Final Battle, and V: The Series as Elias Taylor. He appeared in the 1987 episode "Duty and Honor" of Miami Vice as "The Savage", and on the 1997 HBO series Oz as Omar White from 2001 to 2003. Wright also appeared on New York Undercover, and as Lazarus Prime on Black Lightning.

Wright's film roles include the 1987 drama The Principal, with Jim Belushi, and the 1994 film Sugar Hill with Wesley Snipes. He played Clinton, the leader of The Del Bombers gang in the 1979 film The Wanderers. He also appeared in the 2005 thriller The Interpreter.

Death

 

Wright died on August 21, 2026, at age 70.[4]

Filmography

 

• The Wanderers (1979) as Clinton
• Streamers (1983) as Carlyle
• Lontano da dove (1983) as Sylvester
• V (1983) as Elias Taylor (2 episodes)
• V: The Final Battle (1984) as Elias Taylor (3 episodes)
• V: The Series (1984–1985) as Elias Taylor (13 episodes)
• The Laundromat (1985) as Shooter Stevens
• Miami Vice as the Savage (episode: "Duty and Honor")
• Bedtime Eyes (1987) as Spoon
• The Principal (1987) as Victor Duncan
• Private Times (1991)
• The 5 Heartbeats (1991) as Eddie King Jr.
• Sugar Hill (1994) as Raynathan "Ray" Skuggs
• New York Undercover (1996) as Rene Mazili
• The Cottonwood (1996) as Simon Z.
• Money Talks (1997) as Aaron
• Point Blank (1998) as Sonny
• Rage (1999) as "B-Boy"
• Piñero (2001) as Edgar Bowser
• Oz (2001–2003) as Omar White (22 episodes)
• Batman: Dark Tomorrow (2003) as Black Mask (voice)
• Downtown: A Street Tale (2004) as Rudy
• The Interpreter (2005) as Marcus
• Before I Self Destruct (2009) as First Victim
• Rel (2018) as Mr. Donaldson
• Black Lightning (2019) as Lazarus Prime (2 episodes)
• Dope King (2025) as Willie

References

 

1.  "All the Wright Moves". New York. New York Media, LLC. April 1, 1991. p. 24. Retrieved July 15, 2023.
2.  Copp, Dan (March 8, 2017). Fascist Lizards from Outer Space: The Politics, Literary Influences and Cultural History of Kenneth Johnson's V. McFarland. p. 36. ISBN 978-1-4766-6712-6.
3.  ""Five Heartbeats" Actor Michael Wright Passes Away at 70". sb-american.com. August 21, 2026. Retrieved August 22, 2026.
4.  Biswas, Shuvrajit Das (August 22, 2026). "Michael Wright cause of death update: What happened to The Five Heartbeats actor? Co-star Leon Robinson pays tribute". Hindustan Times. Retrieved August 22, 2026.

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A00112 - Johnny Clegg's The Crossing (Osiyeza)

 

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Johnny Clegg OBE OIS
Clegg performing live in 2009
Born	Jonathan Paul Clegg 7 June 1953 Bacup, England
Died	16 July 2019 (aged 66) Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Other name	Le Zoulou Blanc
Citizenship	United Kingdom South Africa
Occupations	Singer songwriter instrumentalist dancer anthropologist anti-apartheid activist
Spouse	Jenny Bartlett ​ (m. 1988)​
Children	Jesse Clegg
Musical career
Genres	Mbaqanga maskandi Afro-pop[1] Zulu music acoustic rock alternative rock indie rock pop rock world folk
Instruments	Vocals guitar concertina
Years active	1969–2018
Label	Capitol[2]
Formerly of	Juluka Savuka
Website	johnnyclegg.com

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Over the past few days, I continued to be fascinated by the career of Johnny Clegg.  In my view Johnny Clegg is one of the giants of South African history.  I again commend to you the Wikipedia article on Johnny Clegg

Johnny Clegg - Wikipedia

However, I also strongly advise that you view his Youtube video of Asimbonanga, a song Johnny Clegg composed and performed in tribute to Nelson Mandela and, in which, the Great Mandela appears and dances to the song about himself.

Asimbonanga - Johnny Clegg and Nelson Mandela

However, the song that has been embedded in my mind for the past few days is The Crossing, a song that Johnny Clegg composed and sang in tribute to Dudu Zulu, his long-time bandmate who was shot and killed attempting to mediate a taxi war in 1992. Here is Johnny Clegg singing the song on his own.

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Twenty-five years later, as Clegg was in his final battle with pancreatic cancer, a group of some fifty all-star singers gathered to sing The Crossing in tribute to Johnny Clegg.  In viewing the video, you might see Peter Gabriel or Dave Mathews, but my eyes focused on the diminutive Zolani Mahola, of Freshlyground fame. However, whoever may catch your eye, each singer gives a spirited performance.

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This song has been in my soul for the last four days.  It is an earworm which I cannot seem to escape.  Apparently, this song has also become somewhat of a resounding theme song for the young people of South Africa who are striving to create a rainbow nation.  See how these DHL employees sing the song

Johnny Clegg's The Crossing | DHL Stormers & Friends - YouTube

and how the song has even infiltrated the University of Stellenbosch 

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I do not know if I will ever make it back to Amherst to perform my Memorial Service.  However, if I do, I plan on bringing The Crossing Osiyeza with me.

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Peace, 

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

Class of 1975

July 23, 2026

----- Forwarded Message -----

From: skipjen2865@aol.com <skipjen2865@aol.com>

To: Everett Jenkins <skipjen2865@aol.com>

Sent: Sunday, July 19, 2026 at 05:07:14 AM PDT

Subject: Johnny Clegg, The White Zulu

While reading about South African township music via a Copilot search (see below), I was introduced to the group known as Juluka

Juluka - Jwanasibeki

and through Juluka, I was introduced to the extraordinary Johnny Clegg, the White Zulu

December African Rain - Johnny Clegg & Juluka - YouTube

On this Sunday, I encourage everyone to read more about Johnny Clegg

Johnny Clegg - Wikipedia

and to understand why his spirit is still so alive 

Asimbonanga - Johnny Clegg and Nelson Mandela

Johhny Clegg Address

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

Class of 1975

July 19, 2026

Johnny Clegg - "The Crossing" (Director's Cut) - YouTube

Johnny Clegg – Impi Live from the Nelson Mandela theatre featuring the Soweto Gospel Choir

Johnny Clegg & Ladysmith Black Mambazo Collaboration | Old Mutual Music at the Lake -

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South African township music is a vibrant, hybrid musical tradition born in the townships under apartheid, blending African rhythms, jazz, and local cultural expression.

Origins and Historical Context

Township music emerged in the 20th century within South Africa’s racially segregated urban areas, known as townships, which were created under apartheid to house black South Africans in poor, overcrowded conditions ( Wikipedia). These communities, despite systemic oppression, became hubs of cultural creativity. Early forms of township music, such as marabi, developed in the 1920s and 1930s in Johannesburg’s shebeens (illegal bars), combining African rhythms with missionary hymns and jazz influences ( lovetovisitsouthafrica.com+1). Marabi was characterized by hypnotic, cyclical piano patterns that kept communities dancing and socially connected.

Key Genres

• Marabi: The foundational style, jazz-influenced, piano-driven, and repetitive, designed to sustain long dancing sessions in shebeens ( lovetovisitsouthafrica.com+1).
• Kwela: Developed in the 1950s, kwela is pennywhistle-based street music with lively, danceable melodies. Its name means “get up” in Zulu and Sotho, reflecting both joy and the need to evade police ( lovetovisitsouthafrica.com+1).
• Mbaqanga: Evolving from marabi and American jazz, mbaqanga incorporates Zulu musical traditions and became the dominant township sound in the later 20th century ( Wikipedia).

Cultural Significance

Township music was more than entertainment; it was a form of resistance and social cohesion. Musicians expressed the struggles of apartheid, the longing for freedom, and the resilience of their communities ( Wikipedia+1). The music often integrated polyrhythms, call-and-response vocals, and a mix of traditional and Western instruments, reflecting the diverse cultural backgrounds of township residents ( hubpages.com).

Notable Artists

Prominent figures in township music include:

• Hugh Masekela – jazz trumpeter and composer
• Miriam Makeba – singer and civil rights activist
• Brenda Fassie – pop and township-style music icon
• Lucky Dube – reggae and township-influenced music
• Juluka – band blending Zulu music with Western styles ( hubpages.com)

Contemporary Influence

Township music continues to influence modern South African genres, including house, kwaito, and Afro-pop. Its legacy is evident in the global recognition of South African music, where the fusion of rhythm, melody, and social commentary remains central ( YouTube+1).
Township music represents a unique cultural expression born from adversity, combining historical, social, and musical elements that continue to shape South Africa’s vibrant music scene today.

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