Indie band Desmond and the Tutu’s pay tribute to Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Image via Facebook: Desmond and the Tutu’s
Desmond and The Tutus remember the archbishop [watch]
‘His presence seemed to inspire joy in those around him’: Desmond and the Tutus paid tribute to Archbishop Desmond Tutu after his passing.
Indie band Desmond and the Tutu’s pay tribute to Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Image via Facebook: Desmond and the Tutu’s
Celebrities and world leaders have paid tribute to Archbishop Desmond Tutu following his passing on Sunday 26 December. Indie band Desmond and The Tutus, who named themselves after the archbishop, have also paid tribute to him.
The Pretoria Girls hitmakers reflected on the impact Tutu had and how much of an inspiration he was.
ALSO READ: ‘Beacon of hope’: Celebs bid farewell to Desmond Tutu [photos]
DESMOND AND THE TUTUS
Desmond and The Tutus was formed in December 2005 in a bedroom in Pretoria, Gauteng. According to their website, they released their debut album, Tuckshop, in 2008.
The band, who describes their sound as “kwela punk”, have shared stages with the likes of Johnny Clegg, The Mahotella Queens and jazz icon Hugh Masekela among others.
On their unique name, lead singer Shane Durrant told OkayAfrica they loved the idea that you could take a celebrity’s name and turn it into a band name.
“After going through about 3000 name options, each one equally hilarious, we decided to keep it South African and settled on Desmond. Seven years down the line and the joke is a little stale to us, but it reminds us of a simpler time.”
The band has also had the opportunity to connect with Archbishop Desmond Tutu via a letter and package they sent him in their beginning days.
In his response letter, Tutu said he was “proud to be associated with them”.
THE MUSIC
Desmond and the Tutus have released four albums to date with their last album, simply titled Desmond, seeing the light in December 2020.
The 10-track album was recorded over three-year period and features stand-out tracks, such as Hard Work and Pool Party.
WATCH AND LISTEN: ‘HARD WORK’
ALSO READ: ‘I would not worship a God who is homophobic’: Tutu’s LGBTQI+ fight
DESMOND TUTU’S PASSING
Speaking to Cape Argus on the archbishop’s passing, drummer Doug Bower said Desmond Tutu’s presence in their name was indisputable.
“Being named after him, people love trying out their impersonation on us. Years ago when I met Hugh Masekela, he himself treated us to his Desmond Tutu impersonation and it was pretty good.”
Durrant said Desmond Tutu was more than South Africa’s moral compass.
“In music, we as creators of music can only exist and be motivated to make music if other human beings are willing to listen to our music. We can’t exist alone. His presence seemed to inspire joy in those around him.”
“I’ve always hoped that in some very small way we can have that same effect on the people that come into contact with us and our music.”
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