Harry Belafonte, a legendary singer, and activist who paved the path for other Black artists, has passed away. His longtime publicist told The New York Times that he had passed away.
His age was given as 96.
That’s bizarre. Here is what we know about what killed Harry Belafonte.
Harry Belafonte Cause Of Death
According to Ken Sunshine, Harry Belafonte’s longtime spokesman, the famous singer, actor, and activist passed away from congestive heart failure on April 25, 2023, at his home on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, New York.
Over 5 million people in the United States suffer from congestive heart failure, a “serious condition in which the heart doesn’t pump blood as efficiently as it should,” as described by Johns Hopkins Medicine. The research also stated that “heart failure is often and typically progressive, meaning it gradually worsens” whether or not treatment is administered.
Harry is widely regarded as the most successful Caribbean American musician; his album “Calypso” was the first to sell one million copies and made Jamaican mento folk tunes widely known in the 1950s. Show tunes, blues, and gospel were just a few of the styles that Harry performed. The singer is best known for “Banana Boat Song” in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.
Marc Lamont Hill gives tribute to Harry Belafonte:
Harry Belafonte set the standard for engaged, principled, and informed celebrity activism. His wisdom, courage, generosity, and consistency has been a model for so many of us. He was truly one of one. Rest Well, Mr. B.
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) April 25, 2023
The EGOT winner was also a hugely successful actor, starring in films including Carmen Jones, Island in the Sun, Odds Against Tomorrow, and the Oscar-winning biographical black comedic crime picture BlacKkKlansman.
During the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s, Harry was a close friend of Martin Luther King Jr. and provided financial support for King and his family out of his own pocket. Harry also provided funding for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and the Freedom Riders. In addition, Harry was instrumental in planning the historic March on Washington, which took place on August 28, 1963.
He spent his whole professional life speaking up for political and humanitarian reasons, including as an ally to the Anti-Apartheid Movement and a representative for both UNICEF and the ACLU.
Band-Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” served as inspiration for this. Harry conceived of the USA for Africa, which led to the 1985 recording of “We Are the World” and the 1986 “Hands Across America” event, both of which featured 47 mostly American artists led by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie.
In this time of sorrow, our hearts go out to Harry’s loved ones.
The Number of Tributes Keeps Growing
Twitter has become a gathering place for mourners of the late singer Harry Belafonte.
One fan wrote: “I am deeply sad at the loss of my very dear brother – the great Harry Belafonte! His artistic genius, moral courage & loving soul shall live forever! God bless his precious family!”
Another wrote: “We lost a giant, one of the greatest freedom fighters in the history of this nation. His life and legacy has impacted generations. Rest in Peace Harry Belafonte.”
The Indelible Part Played by Harry Belafonte
2018’s “BlacKkKlansman” included a memorable performance from Harry Belafonte as the film’s title character, an elderly civil rights activist.
He played the part of Jesse Washington, a young black farmhand who was wrongfully accused, prosecuted, and killed in 1916 in Waco, Texas.
Harry, who was sick at the time, tried to get his doctor to let him participate in filming the scene nevertheless.
During that time, Spike Lee reportedly told Deadline, “I said, ‘Thank you, Jesus.'” So I told the cast and crew, “When you show up to the set tomorrow, I want you to have on a suit and tie and look like you’re going to church. Our highly important guest requires that everyone dress to the nines today.
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