ReMastered season 1 finale recap: Lion’s Share

The season finale of Netflix series ReMastered examines the quest to give royalties to descendants of Solomon Linda, the originator of the song “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.”

ReMastered has offered many interesting tales before, involving musicians whose legacies are very well known. What about would-be famous songwriters who are lesser-known, though? That is the case with Solomon Linda. He may not be a household name, but he crafted a melody that virtually everyone has heard: “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” In studying this case, ReMastered also looks at the story of Rian Malan, a white man who feels guilt over his uncle being an architect of South African apartheid.

A radical youth, Malan rebelled against apartheid, repeatedly dodged the military draft and flew to Los Angeles in 1977. He tells ReMastered that, in retrospect, he left out of cowardice. However, he also explained a country that seemed on the brink of collapse, so many would understand his decision. While in L.A., Malan quickly became a music journalist, even though he hid his identity.

Mbube

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Before the song was in Disney’s The Lion King, folk singer Pete Seeger had played his own version of it, called “Awimoweh.” It was later made even more famous by The Weavers, The Tokens, and even pop group ‘N Sync. However, the song originated with Solomon Linda and the Evening Birds, and it was called “Mbube.” According to Malan, he first learned about Solomon Linda from South African musician Johnny Clegg, Linda was a migrant worker who, on his time off, would often sing for The Evening Birds. One of their creations was Mbube. It was pretty successful, as Mbube would become the label for a music genre itself (which includes well-known singing group Ladysmith Black Mambazo).

Descendents

ReMastered introduces us to Solomon Linda’s daughters, Delphi, Elizabeth, and Fildah, who discuss the history of their father’s song. It turns out they barely made any money from it. Delphi even says “The Americans are fat with our father’s song.” In examining the history of its publishing, ReMastered says there is actually redacted info. Also, Pete Seeger and musicologists Hugh Tracey and Alan Lomax had little information on the original song, assuming it as a traditional South African folk song.

The copyright people in South Africa possibly just assumed it was traditional. However, there was always some dishonesty going on, according to the series. An original record says the song was by Paul Campbell, but that person apparently didn’t exist. Meanwhile, it’s claimed that Solomon Linda didn’t know what he was signing in terms of copyright ownership. On the bright side, Pete Seeger
always tried to give Solomon Linda royalties.

The law and the Dickens Claus

When a song has many different incarnations, it makes composition credits complicated. Most people add their own unique spin to their version of a song. According to The Token’s Jay Siegel, “Wimoweh” is an anglicized version of Mbube. It’s said that George David Weidd came up with the line, “The lion sleeps tonight.”

However, Mbube itself means “lion” in Zulu, which may raise a skeptical brow. In any case, not a single cent went to Solomon Linda, and his daughters never heard of the issue until Rian Malan came along. Unfortunately for them, songwriter George David Weiss had acquired all control of the song. Malan says his aims were modest: He wanted Linda’s name on the song as co-writer, and for a portion of royalties to go to his descendants. They turned to lawyer Hanro Friedrich and copyright lawyer Dr. Owen Dean to secure royalties.

It wasn’t easy. Solomon Linda had assigned copyright, divesting his rights. However, the lawyers discovered an obscure provision in South African copyright law called the Dickens Clause. This assures that a copyright claim lasts through the life of the author, plus an extra 25 years of ownership to the person’s heirs.

In other words, there was a case. In 1987, the rights technically should have reverted to next of kin. They boldly went after Disney, although the case was initially stalled when Gallo Records dropped out of it. However, the legal team attached South African proceeds to Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck to the case, putting Disney in a tighter spot. In a legal settlement, Solomon Linda’s descendants now receive compensation for past royalties, with the money put into a trust.

10 years after settlement

ReMastered looks at the aftermath, which is a mixed bag. As a result of the settlement, the Linda sisters don’t know the full amount of money in the trust, which makes them suspicious. Elizabeth says she knew that had to pay Hanro, but didn’t know more money would be deducted for everyone working the case. It gets a little contentious, as Dr. Owen Dean at one point claimed the sisters squandered the money on drink (though, according to them, only one of them drinks alcohol regularly!) Basically, they suspect the lawyers of mismanaging the money.

Malan is in an awkward place when he meets Dean, as the man was instrumental in the case. Without him, there probably wouldn’t be a trust to begin with. Also, Malan (also instrumental in the case), says there is no evidence of fraud. Unfortunately, not all happy endings are as happy as can be. In fact, this whole issue has some murkiness to it, which is why lawyers were there to begin with.

What are your thoughts on ReMastered? Let us know in the comments!