HARRY BELAFONTE | 94

Harry Belafonte was born in Harlem to emigrants from the Caribbean Islands of Martinique and Jamaica. He is a Jamaican-American singer, songwriter, actor, and activist. His ability to popularize the Caribbean style of music in the ‘50s earned him the alias of “King of Calypso” Harry learned songs at the library of Congress’s American folk song archives. He sang Caribbean folk songs in nightclubs and theatres.

He is popularly known for his recording of “The Banana Boat Song”. He was the male lead but he didn’t sing in the musical Carmen Jones; his costar was Dorothy Dandridge. The pop singer won various awards during his career, including three Grammy Awards. Harry, as an activist championed numerous social causes, including the “Civil Rights Movement” of his hit records were “Day-O” and “Jamaica Farewell.” He starred in Island in the Sun and Odds Against Tomorrow. Now in his 90s, we sure hope Harry has some suitable investments and insurance plans in place.