I noted in the news this morning that the South African singer Miriam Makeba passed away this morning after suffering a heart attack. She had been performing an anti Mafia concert in Italy. She was yet another of the many folk icons of the early 60's. I had the privilege of seeing her in concert in July of 1963. I still have the program from that event. The concert was held at the Broadmoor International Theatre in Colorado Springs. She was part of a triple bill sharing the stage with the Smothers Brothers and The Chad Mitchell Trio. As I recall it was a sold out event in a very large theatre. Her music represented the intertwining of international music into the American folk scene at the time. According to the program, she did tour with Harry Belafonte at the end of 1960 and early '61. In a quote from a concert review in the Denver Post, they say "Miss Makeba's voice is undoubtedly without parallel in her chosen field and the material is unique. Miss Makeba as a performer, is a blend of singer, actress and visual historian." And so yet another member of the 60's folk era passes on. It has been a tough year.