Harry Belafonte
Harry Belafonte is a Jamaican-American singer, songwriter, civil rights activist, and actor. One of the most successful Jamaican-American pop stars in history, he was dubbed the "King of Calypso" for popularising the Caribbean musical style with an international audience in the 1950s. His breakthrough album Calypso (1956) was the first million-selling LP by a single artist. Belafonte is known for his recording of "The Banana Boat Song", with its signature lyric "Day-O". He has recorded and performed in many genres, including blues, folk, gospel, show tunes, and American standards. He has also starred in several films, including Otto Preminger's hit musical Carmen Jones (1954), Island in the Sun (1957), and Robert Wise's Odds Against Tomorrow (1959).[1]
Belafonte released around 40 singles in the UK between 1954 and 1980[2], and had seven hits between 1957 and 1961, including his #1 hit "Mary's Boy Child"[3].
His first appearance on a budget compilation album in the UK was on Ronco's 1973 release Command Performance[4].
Appearances
 Peace in the Valley (Ronco, RTL 2043): "Mary's Boy Child" |
