Harry Belafonte, a singer, songwriter, actor, entertainer, and political activist, passed away at the age of 96, according to his spokesperson Ken Sunshine. Harry passed away from congestive heart failure, at his home in Manhattan, New York, USA.
This news was reported by a large number of global media on April 25th, 2023.
Belafonte earned the nickname “King of Calypso” for popularizing the musical genre originating from Trinidad and Tobago in the 1950s on an international scale. History considers him one of the most successful Afro-American pop stars.
In the 1950s, Belafonte acted in films, subsequently, in the early 1960s, he collaborated with Martin Luther King Jr. in the civil rights movement.
He sold more than one million copies of the album “Calypso,” which he released in 1956, making it the first gramophone musical album to achieve this feat.
Also, he was the driving force behind the song “We Are the World” against famine in Ethiopia in the 1980s. Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, and Diana Ross initially performed the song, and it raised millions of dollars in donations.
In 1987, Belafonte became a global goodwill ambassador. Belafonte was also an opponent of Apartheid in South Africa and coordinated Nelson Mandela’s first visit to the United States.
He won three Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award. Additionally, in 2014, he received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, and later on in 2022, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Lenny Kravitz has paid tribute to his late friend Harry Belafonte by releasing a new song on his official YouTube channel. The song in question is Belafonte’s classic “How Long Have You Been Blind,” and Kravitz has described it as a timeless track that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of his late friend.
In his statement, Kravitz addressed Belafonte as “King” and bid him a final farewell with the words, “Rest in power, King.” It’s clear that Belafonte’s legacy has had a profound impact on the music industry, and this heartfelt tribute from Kravitz is just one example of how his work will continue to inspire new generations of musicians and fans alike.
Check out the video below and enjoy this tribute by Kravitz, as it showcases his exceptional talent as a musician and his unique interpretation of this classic song. Additionally, you will appreciate the stunning visuals and the amazing sound quality of this video.
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