The Pop Corporation

To many, Harry Belafonte is the singer of wonderful songs, such as ‘Jump In The Line (Shake Señora)’ which featured prominently in Beetlejuice. To others, he’s a civil rights activist and all-round legend. He was a well respected actor too. All of these things are fair, as we bid a very fond farewell to one of the most legendary men to ever do it.

The hits were plentiful, especially his reading of ‘Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)’, and starring roles in movies and armfuls of awards, Belafonte in basic celebrity terms, was more than enough. However, he was so much more, dedicating his life to a number of good and just causes, campaigning against apartheid in South Africa, fighting for civil rights for Black Americans, using his spotlight to highlight poverty, and put his money where his mouth was frequently.

The voice of angel, but an important voice for non-violent resistance and spearheading campaigns for change. There aren’t many as important and brilliant as Harry.

Belafonte in born into a working class in Harlem, as well as spending time in Jamaica, he dropped out of school thanks to his dyslexia and worked and worked, before going through a World War and making his way as a performer. After watching the stage, he trod it, ending up in acting classes alongside Marlon Brando, and getting by with his side-hustle singing folk and jazz in the clubs, sometimes backed by Charlie Parker and Miles Davis.

It wasn’t long before he became a successful recording artist, finding international fame with his readings of Calypso songs, with one such LP being the first ever in the States to sell more than a million. Add to this, Bob Dylan’s first appearance on record was playing harmonica on Harry’s LP, on ‘Midnight Special’.

All the while, Belafonte continued to act, grabbing himself a Tony and lead roles on stage and screen.

During this time, he was offered a role in an adaptation of ‘Porgy and Bess’, but turned down the role because he found it “racially demeaning”. This lit a fire in him which wouldn’t go away until his death.

Under the tutelage of Paul Robeson and Martin Luther King Jr (he bailed him out of jail in Birmingham, Alabama in ’63), Belafonte co-organised the march on Washington, made famous by MLK’s ‘I have a dream’ speech. Later, he would organised the ‘We Are The World’ record, raising millions of dollars for famine release, and was recognised by UNICEF for his efforts in Africa, striking out against apartheid and his Aids work.

A proud leftie, he used his platform to criticise US foreign policy, campaigned against nuclear weapons, met wit Castro and Chavez, and hit out against Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice for working with Dubya Bush, referring to them as akin to ‘slaves’ working in the master’s house rather than the fields. Hardcore.

Of course, the Democrats weren’t safe from Harry’s ire – Barack Obama came under fire for his use of Guantanamo Bay and more. He also chided other performers for their lack of voice on pressing concerns.

Harry Belafonte was a truly remarkable man in so many ways and we’re all a little bit poorer now he’s gone. Raise a glass. Read up on him. Get inspired.