Vicky Sampson - Official website

1982:

Entered and won talent contest in town centre, Mitchell's Plain, Cape Town

Participated in S.A.B.C. "Follow That Star", which led to guest appearance on the "Soft Shoes" Summer Special, the overall winners of F.T.S.

 

1983:

Left for Swaziland, performed at the "Why Not" night club in Mbabane (Happy Valley), then went on to Botswana, where I sang with a band for 3 months (at the Oasis motel). Initially followed the late Brenda Fassie as cabaret performer, but was persuaded to stay on with the band.

 

1984:

Joined "Love Supreme" at the Mmabatho Sun with Ebrahim Schilder (Tony, Richard Schilder), the late Monty Weber and Andre Abrahams, replacing Sophia Foster as lead singer.

On May 10 1984, joined "Shine" in Lesotho, as lead singer. Shine then went on to perform at the Mmabatho sun from November 1984 to 1986, when I left and went to Durban, forming a duo/trio with ex-husband. We returned to the Molopo Sun in Mmabatho, where we performed as a duo for six months.

 

1989:

Arrived in Jozi! Still as a duo, Trevor and I played Jamesons, the then-jazz venue in Commissioner Street, Johannesburg. We moved on to the Dawsons Hotel, where we stayed for 4 months, performing every Saturday afternoon. I then met Colin Law, a theatre producer, during a show called "Broadway Crossing", at Ziggies in Norwood, singing all the hits from Broadway shows including "Les Miserables", "Dream Girls", "Miss Saigon" and so on.

 

1990:

Colin cast me in a musical tribute to Billy Joel which toured in all the major cities, to critical acclaim. The bug had bitten me! I loved theatre! Thereafter, I starred in the musicals "Elton John" and "Showstoppers", both Colin Law productions, to great reviews. Colin was instrumental (pardon the pun) in my development as a performer, not just as a singer. During 1991 I also featured in a video with the famous "MarkAlex", the brother-duo. It was then that Tusk Music, their recording company, offered me a record deal. Ironically, at the same time, I had just auditioned for (and got the part) of Magenta in Christopher Malcolm's "Rocky Horror Picture Show", but I chose to record. My first album "Shine" was released by Tusk Music in 1992, which featured the hits "Love will shine on you" and "Walk on by" which both boasted videos. "Love will shine" won some awards.

 

1993:

Toured as support artist with Al Jarreau, Shakatak and Joe Cocker.

Travelled to Singapore and performed at a major music convention, representing South Africa.

Sang at the Athlone Stadium on the Cape Flats, the day after which a major newspaper featured a front page picture of myself with Madiba.

Did a show in Cape Town called "The Rock Circus" where I paid tribute to the likes of Tina Turner, Whitney Houston and Gloria Gaynor.

Performed alongside MarcAlex at Miss S.A., where I met Peabo Bryson.

Performed at Miss World, alongside George Benson, Pierce Brosnan, Louis Gossett Junior.

Played Mary Magdalen in Jesus Christ Superstar - Rock production.

 

1994:

Recorded my 2nd album "Zai" - titled after the nickname given to me by my late grandmother, Kylsum. This was the beginning of the dream, as "Afrikan Dream" was the first single.

 

1996:

Performed at the opening and closing ceremonies of African Cup Of Nations, which S.A. won.

"Zai" wins 4 SAMAs at the F.N.B. Music awards: Best pop album, best video, best female artist and best director.

Performed at FanCourt in George for 2 months, for the launch of the new VW Polo and at various other corporate functions for the following 3 years, with Afrikan Dream in huge demand.

 

1997:

Supported Maxi Priest, Randy Crawford, Stylistics, Kool and the Gang at Green Point Stadium.

Performed in Austria, Holland and Germany (the Musikant'nschtad).

Performed at the countdown for Olympics in Cape Town, with Madiba on stage.

Sang at several rugby matches (The National Anthem/Afrikan Dream).

 

1999:

Performed at President Thabo Mbeki's inauguration at his personal request, where I met Chris Rock and Germaine Jackson.

Performed at Sun City and met George Benson, Grace Jones and Michael Jackson.

 

2005:

"Afrikan Dream" nominated as Song of the Decade - alongside Brenda Fassie's "Vulindlela" and Jabu Khanyile.

Travelled to Sweden, Frankfurt and recorded 2 songs, which would appear on next album. Also travelled to New York for Humanitarian Venture and performed at Sangston Hughes theatre in Harlem.

Auditioned for "We Will Rock You" as Killer Queen in October and got the part.

 

2006:

"We Will Rock You" goes on tour around the country.

 

2007:

Signed a deal with E.M.I. and released 3rd album "License To Sing" in November, with Cedric Samson as producer.

Travelled to Monaco to perform on yacht at Grand Prix.

Travelled to China (Shanghai) for closing ceremony of the Special Olympics.

Travelled to Togo to perform Afrikan Dream for a major cellphone company.

 

2008:

Returned to Shanghai in 2008 for Shanghai TV Awards, sang "Tian Liu", a Mandarin song.

Sang at Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday at Johannesburg stadium.

 

2009:

Invited back to Shanghai for International Film Awards.

 

2010:

Performed at 50 day countdown to World Cup in Kimberley in April.

Performed at Nedbank Cup Final and official opening of Soccer City at which President Jacob Zuma officiated.