The band's lineup, as we know it today, was formed in 1964 by Joseph Shabalala. Why? It came to him in a dream. He'd been the bandleader of a choral group specializing in isicathamiya, traditional Zulu music. But the sounds he heard in his dream were these gorgeous harmonies that he'd never heard before. This spurned him on to reform the group as Ladysmith Black Mambazo and replicate the music of his dreams.

With this new sound, the group quickly rose in popularity, eventually becoming one of Africa's most acclaimed and best-selling acts.

[Pantages Theater, Friday, March 26, 7:30 p.m., pre-show lecture 6:30 p.m., $35-$59, 901 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.591.5894]