South African Musician, Ali Katt Dies At 60

South African Music Legend Ali Katt is dead. He died after a brief illness at the age of 60.

According to the family spokesperson Jacky Mathala, the singer’s health had deteriorated since he suffered a stroke about four years ago.  “He was an active person until he was hit by the stroke. That was when he started slowing down,”.

Ali Katt (was born in the Johannesburg township of Alexandra. He started performing in the 1970s and in 1979 began singing for The Minerals. He later met singer Godfrey Nzuza who helped him launch his solo career. He made a name for himself with ‘Let the Good Times Roll’ which featured on his 1987 debut album Have Mercy. In 1988 he released Killer, a tribute to the conjoined Mathibela twins. The album featured the hit ‘Liar’.

After taking a long break from making music, he made a comeback with Ali Katt and Biggs duet and the album Township Boy.  The singer’s memorial service will be held in Tembisa, Johannesburg, on Thursday while his funeral is planned for Saturday. The musician is survived by his sister and two children.