Actor, activist and ‘Banana Boat’ singer Harry Belafonte dead at 96

Dennis Morton
By Dennis Morton
Published 25th Apr 2023, 15:09 BST
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

The iconic singer who supported the US civil rights movement dies aged 96 from congestive heart failure

Harry Belafonte, the actor, activist and singer well known for songs like The Banana Boat Song and Jump In The Line has died aged 96. According to The New York Times, his spokesperson claims the cause of death was congestive heart failure.

Belafonte has often been crowned as the most successful Caribbean-American singer, and lent his voice to the US civil rights movement. He also supported several causes in the 1960s including campaigns against poverty, apartheid and AIDS in Africa as well as support for left-wing movements including those in Cuba and Venezuela.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Born in Harlem, New York in 1927 to a working class family, he first signed a record deal with RCA Victor in 1953. His breakthrough album Calypso in 1956, included his biggest hit Day-O (Banana Boat Song).