Harry Belafonte has died at 96.
The civil rights and entertainment giant, who began as a groundbreaking actor, singer, activist, humanitarian, and conscience of the world passed away on Tuesday.
In the mid-1960s, Belafonte was very active in supporting emerging African artists as well as making African music known worldwide.
His collaboration with South Africa’s Miriam Makeba “An Evening with Belafonte/Makeba“ won a Grammy Award.
Makeba died of a heart attack during a 2008 concert in Italy. She was 76.
Belafonte had been a major artist since the 1950s.
He won a Tony Award in 1954 for his starring role in John Murray Anderson’s “Almanac” and five years later became the first Black performer to win an Emmy for the TV special “Tonight with Harry Belafonte.”
Belafonte’s “Calypso,” released in 1955, became the first officially certified million-selling album by a solo performer.
His “Day-O” song (Banana Boat Song) remains a favourite for many.
