On the record
By Casey Gillis on Feb. 07, 2008
By Bradford Brady and John Maron
Q: While at junior college, we had a guest from South Africa who played a banjo and introduced us to South African folk music. He involved the audience in a song that years later I heard recorded as “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” Who recorded that song? Was it listed as a traditional song, or did someone take credit for the adaptation?
A: The origin of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” can be traced back to a 20th century African song called “Mbube.” Recorded by Soloman Linda in 1939, it became a huge hit throughout Africa in the ’40s. It eventually found its way to the folk group, The Weavers, who adapted it into a 1952 hit song called “Wimoweh.” The New York-based doo-wop group, the Tokens, took “Wimoweh” and created “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” which became a No. 1 hit in the early ’60s. One of the best and most familiar versions of “Wimoweh” was recorded by The Kingston Trio, a live version of which was included on their excellent 1959 release, “The Kinston Trio ... from the “Hungry I.” Of course, most people today know the song because of its inclusion in Disney’s hugely successful 1994 animated film, “The Lion King.”
Q: Whatever happened to Lobo? He had a hit in the early ’70s with “Me and You and a Dog Named Boo.”
A: Kent LaVoie, aka Lobo, was born in Tallahassee, Fla., in 1943. He joined his first band in 1961 and continued to play in various bands, one of which included Gram Parsons, until LaVoie released his first solo recordings in the early ’70s. His first hit was “Me and You and a Dog Named Boo,” which reached No. 5 in 1971. Before the song was released, he used the name Lobo rather than his real name for fear that he would be typecast as a novelty act. His biggest pop hit came the next year when “I’d Love You to Want Me” reached No. 2. Although he reached the Top 10 on the pop charts three times, his greatest success was on the Adult Contemporary charts where he had seven Top 10 hits, including four that reached No. 1. His last appearance on the A/C charts was in 1979 when “Where Were You When I Was Falling in Love” topped the charts. He recorded sporadically throughout the ’80s and ’90s, and achieved success in Asia where he toured and released CDs exclusively for the Asian market. His latest CD, “Out of Time,” was released in January 2008, and includes newer versions of older songs and some new songs with all instruments played by Lobo.
Q: I recently heard Paul Simon’s “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes” from the “Graceland” album and was reminded of the wonderful voices of Ladysmith Black Mambazo who appeared on the record. Are they still recording?
A: Yes, the group is one of Africa’s most successful musical groups. Primarily, the brainchild of Joseph Shabalala, Ladysmith Black Mambazo formed in the mid-1960s and began recording in 1970. However, they gained widespread notice in the United States with their appearance on Simon’s 1986 classic, “Graceland.” The group has won two Grammys and has been nominated a total of 12 times, most recently for their 2006 release, “Long Walk to Freedom.” Their next album, “ILEMBE: A Tribute to King Shaka,” is currently only available in South Africa, but is scheduled to be released in the United States within the next year.
What’s the name of that song? Where are they now? Send your questions about songs, albums and musicians to or visit http://www.musicontherecord.com. Brady and Maron are freelance music writers based in Raleigh, N.C.
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