Born Johannes Mashiyane in Vlakfontein, South Africa on January 20, 1933, the legendary pennywhistle artist was better known by his nickname Spokes. He is acknowledged as one of the most influential kwela artists of all time with a career that began in the 1950s and continued until his death in 1972. He became interested in being a musician when he was exposed to kwela music – pennywhistle-based music with jazz and skiffle influences - as a young domestic servant in northern Sotho. He chose the pennywhistle for the instruments simplicity and ability to bend notes. His recordings – including King Kwela (1958), Spokes of Africa (1959), Sweet Sax Sweet Flute (1962), and King of the Pennywhistle (1969) – gained a lot of attention in South Africa and he began gaining international recognition in the ‘60s performing with visiting musicians like Bud Shank. Spokes Mashiyane played the Newport Folk Festival in 1965, but his appearance was overshadowed by the ‘Dylan goes electric’ controversy. He continued to play and perform, earning accolades along the way. Over the course of his musical journey, Spokes Mashiyane became an inspiration for future generations of kwela and world music lovers. He died of cirrhosis of the liver on February 9, 1972.
