Harry Belafonte, Calypso King Who Worked for African-American Rights, Dies at 96 By Carmel Dagan Singer, actor, producer and activist Harry Belafonte, who spawned a calypso craze in the U.S. with his music and blazed new trails for African-American performers, has died of congestive heart failure at his Manhattan home. He was 96. An award-winning Broadway performer and a versatile recording and concert star of the ’50s, the lithe, handsome Belafonte became one of the first black leading men in Hollywood. He later branched into production work on theatrical films and telepics. As his career stretched into the new millennium, his commitment to social causes never took a back seat to his professional work. An intimate of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., he was an important voice in the ’60s civil rights movement, and he later embarked on charitable activities on behalf of underdeveloped African nations. He was an outspoken opponent of South Africa’s apartheid policies. https://variety.com/2023/music/news/harry-belafonte-dead-dies-singer-1235593910
Rest in peace, a legend. Extremely talented and fought for civil rights when it was tough for celebrities to speak out. Achieved the highest compliment I can give a person, he fully maximized his gifts and had an impact with his life.
Daaaaay O! i remember all the references to him in the 70s shows I used to watch. Hilarious when the guy keeps bringing everything but bananas : Love the "plot twist" at the end of this one on Sesame Street :
grampa listened to him often. jamaica farewell is my fave song of his. also didn't know he was still alive. thought he'd passed away like in the 90s or something
I honestly didn't know he was still alive either. Yall have another favorite song? I'd love to hear it.
