Lance James
Lance James (18 July 1938 – 2 March 2020) was a well-known South African country singer and radio broadcaster (Springbok Radio, 1954–1985). Some of his hits include Thank You, Vicki and Ahoy, Madagascar Ahoy !.[1] During Huisgenoot's 2009 Skouspel he (along with nine other singers) was honored for their lifelong contribution to Afrikaans and South African music.[2]
Lance James | |
---|---|
Birth name | Lance James Liebenberg |
Also known as | "Big Daddy" |
Born | Germiston, South Africa | July 18, 1938
Died | March 2, 2020 81) Johannesburg, South Africa | (aged
Genres | Country |
Occupation(s) | Singer, radio host |
Website | lancejames.co.za |
Early life
Lance James Liebenberg was born 1938 in Germiston on the East Rand of Johannesburg.[3][4] He married Valerie Mary Wilson and they had two children Chanel Liebenberg and Dionne Liebenberg.
Career
He worked at the SABC on Springbok Radio from 1954 until 1985.[5] At the radio station, he was a presenter on two shows, Keep it Country on Sundays and Munt uit Musiek.[6]: 14
An autobiography, Dankie by Francois van Oudtshoorn was published in 2015.[6]: 14 His final album came out in 2019, called Swan Song.[6]: 14
Death
Suffering from heart problems and other aged health issues, he was admitted to a Johannesburg hospital in 2020.[7]: 2 There he broke a hip and would later pass away from an infection after hip surgery, several weeks in hospital.[7]: 2 [3] He is survived by his two daughters Chanel and Dionne, three grandchildren Tyron, Declan and Lilly-Joy, son-in-law’s Glenn Floyd and Benjy Mudie, business partner Mara van der Burgh and partner Eunice Wait [3]
Honours
In 2019, he was honoured for his life work by Federasie van Afrikaanse Kulturvereniginge.[3] Other awards include a Beeld Award for contribution to Afrikaans music, a Solidarity Award, six Sarie Awards and several awards for "Best Album of the Year", and a Life Time Achievement Award.[8] On 26 January 2020, Lance was also inaugurated as a living legend in the South African Legends Museum. He was one of only 20 legends from whom a bust was also made.
References
- Chilvers, Garth (1994). History of contemporary music of South Africa. Toga. ISBN 9780620181211.
- "Veteran Afrikaans singer Lance James has died". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
- Roets, Adriaan (3 March 2020). "Lance James dies, aged 81". The Citizen (South Africa).
- "EXCLUSIVE: Remembering a legend (Video)". Brakpan Herald. 3 March 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
- "South African country singer Lance James, 81, dies". Channel24. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
- Roets, Adriaan (7 March 2020). "Lance James: A lasting legacy". The Citizen (South Africa).
- Zeeman, Kylie (4 March 2020). "Veteran Afrikaans singer Lance James". Daily Dispatch (South Africa).
- "Legendary country singer Lance James dies". Jacaranda FM. Retrieved 13 December 2020.