April 25, 2023 – Harry Belafonte

Harry Belafonte died today at the age of 96. He was the most successful Caribbean-American pop star of his time, and was known as the King of Calypso in the 1950s and 60s. He started his music career as a club singer in NYC as a way to pay for acting classes. He landed a record deal in 1949, and released his break through album Calypso in 1956. This would become the first million-selling LP by a solo artist. He also starred in numerous films and on Broadway. He was very involved in the Civil Rights Movement, and was a close friend and confidant of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He even helped organized the Freedom March on Washington in 1963, where King gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. He was an advocate for many causes, including the Anti-Apartheid Movement and USA for Africa. He was a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador from 1987 until his death. He won 3 Grammy Awards, received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1986 and was awarded the National Medal of the Arts in 1994. Just last year, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the Early Influence category, the oldest living person to have received that honor. Learn more here.