Harry Belafonte 1927-2023

Harry Belafonte, 1927-2023. That smile, tho.

Harry Belafonte, looking impossibly handsome, as usual. 

Harry Belafonte died today at the age of 96. Belafonte had a remarkable career as a singer, actor, and civil rights activist. Belafonte exploded into America’s consciousness in the mid-1950's. His second album Belafonte spent 6 weeks at Number 1. Belafonte was knocked out of the top spot on the charts by Elvis Presley’s first album. Harry’s next album was a giant. Called simply Calypso and highlighted by the hit single “Day-O (Banana Boat Song)” the album spent 31 weeks at Number 1. Belafonte recorded in many styles and genres of music, but his name remains indelibly connected to calypso.  

Belafonte was astonishingly handsome, with high cheekbones, expressive brown eyes, and a beaming smile that lit up his entire face. Belafonte’s tall, slim figure was accentuated by his signature outfit of the late 1950’s and early 1960’s: black pants, a white shirt unbuttoned halfway down his chest, and a belt with an “O” shaped buckle. That outfit graces the cover of Belafonte’s 1959 live album Belafonte at Carnegie Hall, one of the greatest live albums ever.  

My parents were both big fans of Harry Belafonte’s music—my dad had many of his albums, and my mom saw him in concert with her mother. Harry Belafonte was the first singer I really liked, and he was the first concert I remember going to. Yes, the movie Beetlejuice sparked my love of Belafonte’s music. My parents must have appreciated that I was getting into music they liked. My dad and I would listen to Calypso on cassette tape in the car all the time, and Belafonte’s album To Wish You a Merry Christmas was a staple during December.  

I saw Harry Belafonte in concert twice, and while I don’t remember a lot of specifics about those shows, I remember how much fun those concerts were.  Belafonte’s charisma was infectious, and I recall his joy as we joined in sing-alongs. I remember him saying, “Ah, you all saw Beetlejuice!” As a kid, I was struck by the sharp contrast between Belafonte’s rough, gravelly speaking voice, and his singing voice, which was still beautiful. 

Harry Belafonte’s singing voice was a versatile instrument—listen to Belafonte at Carnegie Hall for the full range of emotions he could convey through his vocals. Listening to Belafonte today, I’m reminded of the beautiful passion and emotion in his voice that’s evident in every song he sang.  

Harry Belafonte leaves behind a huge legacy as a singer, an actor, and a political activist. He was a human being deeply connected to humanity, and deeply concerned with making the world a better place. Harry Belafonte was one of my favorite people, and while I celebrate his long lifespan, I also mourn that he’s no longer with us, pushing us to move forward.