Matthew Dunbar
Matthew Dunbar
For two nights this past weekend superstar John Legend mesmerised music lovers at the Sun City Superbowl - all for a very worthy cause.
The sensational American R&B singer Legend even shed a tear during his Saturday night performance, probably a sign of how touched he was by the cause he flew halfway around the world to help.
Legend and a number of other artists including Ishmael Lo, the Bala Brothers, Danny K and Mahotela Queens, were all part of the Positive Rocks - a music, art, fashion and food extravaganza aimed at promoting Aids awareness and raising funds for the Tapoloko Aids Hospice.
The Grammy Award-winner even managed to bowl over Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo- Ngcuka, who sat next to the hunky star on the piano as he rendered one of his many hits.
And as expected, Legend did not disappoint. An excited fan who flew up from Cape Town just for the show told Sowetan: "He is very handsome."
The well-attended event attracted folks from all walks of life. Young and old fans partied and swayed as one, as the much loved musician did his thing.
His warm, easy going and sincere personality even won over the more cynical male members of the audience, who had been dragged along by wives or girlfriends.
Legend's show seemed to end without an encore, and hundreds of fans had already starting streaming out when he returned, this time attired in a white vest, to provide a thrilling 20-minute encore.
And on Friday night, as part of the festival, a number of musicians - including the legendary African troubadour, Ismael Lo - appeared in a Vegas-style, dinner-show fundraiser.
Though the charity event was for well-heeled diners, Legend also managed to put in a cameo showing, but only for a couple of songs.