Harry Belafonte , American singer, musician, actor, and civil rights activist, has died . His spokesman announced the news, citing media reports. He turned 96 on March 1st.
The Manhattan- born artist became famous for popularizing Caribbean music in the 50s, earning him the nickname "King of Calypso ." Among his most famous songs is "Day-O ( Banana Boat Song) " from 1956.
Belafonte, “the king of calypso,” rose to fame in the 1950s and was at the forefront of humanitarian advocacy and the fight for civil rights in the United States. He was the singer of Caribbean rhythms with songs such as “Matilda ,” “Day-O,” “Island in the Sun,” “Jamaica Farewell ,” “Try to Remember,” and “Coconut Woman .”
He seduced the American public with the exoticism of his music and the charisma of his vocal qualities which propelled him to rapid success, which would also be his springboard against racial segregation.
In 1955, the triumph with “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)” and the album “Calypso” (1956), the first in history to sell more than a million copies and which led Belafonte to obtain six Gold Records and many Grammy Awards.
Belafonte has also acted in numerous films
Belafonte also starred in numerous films including “Carmen Jones” by Otto Preminger (1954), “The Robbery Strategy” (Robert Wise, 1959), “Kansas City” by Robert Altman (1996), “Shoot!” by and with Sidney Poitier (1972), “Bobby” (Emilio Estevez, 2006) about the assassination of Bob Kennedy.
