There is a lot more to South African music sensation Jesse Clegg than his world-famous dad.
Instead of riding on the success of Johnny Clegg and his bands Juluka and Savuka to get into the music business, the alternative rock star has not only carved his own way to the top but has a law degree with honours in English literature.
“I wanted to find my own way, I never used his name,” he told the Dispatch yesterday.
Currently touring the Eastern Cape playing stripped-down acoustic versions of his hit songs Clegg, 27, said although he now earned his living with music he never felt he was born to do it.
“I never thought music was a guarantee for me, and I was never pressured by my family to do it.
“I stumbled into it.”
Although he found success early when he released his first album aged only 19, Clegg still went to university to study law, and skilfully juggled his time between performing live and studying for exams.
“Academia teaches you more than anything about discipline.
“It puts you into perspective, it is a humbling mental exercise – a tiny piece of the bigger picture.”
For the first six years of his life Clegg spent most of his time travelling the world – living out of a suitcase, eating in hotels, touring on buses and waiting at airports with his father, mother and the band.
“It was a good education.
“I got to see the power music has to convey ideas and connect people. I got to see the magic of it.”
He also got to see the downside though.
“I saw the unglamorous side,” he admits. “It’s a job like any other. You are away from friends and family for a long time.
“You take financial and personal risks, and you have to make sacrifices to achieve.
“If you are passionate about it then it is totally worthwhile.”
Three successful albums later and now working on his fourth, it is clear that Clegg is passionate about his music. Although it was an unconventional start compared to most, it was always done as a family.
When he was six, his parents decided it was time for Jesse to go to school in South Africa and his mom kept the home fires burning when his dad was away touring.
“I pay respect to my folks for staying together. They have been together for 35 years, which is unusual in this business.”
Although he regularly packs in the crowds at massive city venues, Clegg said he enjoyed hitting the road and visiting small towns to perform the music that he writes and sings.
Expected to clock up 6000km on his latest road trip, Clegg will perform at the Morgan Bay Hotel tomorrow night and then at Wiseguys in East London on Friday before heading to Amampondo in Port St Johns on Saturday.
l Johnny Clegg will be in East London for one night next Wednesday to perform his best, live and unplugged show at the Old Selbornian Club.
Clegg junior determined to carve his own path
Instead of riding on the success of Johnny Clegg and his bands Juluka and Savuka to get into the music business, the alternative rock star has not only carved his own way to the top but has a law degree with honours in English literature.
“I wanted to find my own way, I never used his name,” he told the Dispatch yesterday.
Currently touring the Eastern Cape playing stripped-down acoustic versions of his hit songs Clegg, 27, said although he now earned his living with music he never felt he was born to do it.
“I never thought music was a guarantee for me, and I was never pressured by my family to do it.
“I stumbled into it.”
Although he found success early when he released his first album aged only 19, Clegg still went to university to study law, and skilfully juggled his time between performing live and studying for exams.
“Academia teaches you more than anything about discipline.
“It puts you into perspective, it is a humbling mental exercise – a tiny piece of the bigger picture.”
For the first six years of his life Clegg spent most of his time travelling the world – living out of a suitcase, eating in hotels, touring on buses and waiting at airports with his father, mother and the band.
“It was a good education.
“I got to see the power music has to convey ideas and connect people. I got to see the magic of it.”
He also got to see the downside though.
“I saw the unglamorous side,” he admits. “It’s a job like any other. You are away from friends and family for a long time.
“You take financial and personal risks, and you have to make sacrifices to achieve.
“If you are passionate about it then it is totally worthwhile.”
Three successful albums later and now working on his fourth, it is clear that Clegg is passionate about his music. Although it was an unconventional start compared to most, it was always done as a family.
When he was six, his parents decided it was time for Jesse to go to school in South Africa and his mom kept the home fires burning when his dad was away touring.
“I pay respect to my folks for staying together. They have been together for 35 years, which is unusual in this business.”
Although he regularly packs in the crowds at massive city venues, Clegg said he enjoyed hitting the road and visiting small towns to perform the music that he writes and sings.
Expected to clock up 6000km on his latest road trip, Clegg will perform at the Morgan Bay Hotel tomorrow night and then at Wiseguys in East London on Friday before heading to Amampondo in Port St Johns on Saturday.
l Johnny Clegg will be in East London for one night next Wednesday to perform his best, live and unplugged show at the Old Selbornian Club.
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