John Simson
Business and Entertainment Program Director, Kogod School of Business
You might have seen on the news today that Harry Belafonte, age 96, passed away. Harry was a remarkable man, a great artist and humanitarian. I was fortunate to work with Harry for more than a decade and although it was towards the end of his career, it was an experience without parallel.
If you're not familiar with his career, after serving in the Navy during WWII, Harry started performing in clubs with jazz musicians Max Roach, Charlie Parker and an early roommate, Miles Davis. Harry found roles on Broadway and became a Tony Award winning actor. Later, he'd win an Emmy for his work as the first African American host of a major late-night show when he guest-hosted for Johnny Carson. Harry also won a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grammies.
His album, "Calypso" was the first certified seller of over One Million copies. The song, "Day-O (the Banana Boat Song)" is a classic sung in schools, stadiums and arenas. More important than these awards, Harry was a Humanitarian and Civil Rights Activist. He'd visit the Kennedy's at the White House in the early 1960's and then march with Dr. King; he'd raise money in Hollywood to post bail for Dr. King and other marchers as they were arrested throughout the south.
In 1999, I traveled to Cuba with Harry to scout talent for a new record label we were creating. Chris Blackwell, the founder of Island Records and man responsible for popularizing Bob Marley, U2 and Stevie Winwood, was our financier. We were in Havana as guests of the Cuban government and were provided a driver, a cook and rooms in one of the many mansions the government had seized after the revolution in 1959. We saw some amazing talent, though we didn't end up signing one artist from that excursion.
A few years later, while working on another project, Harry invited my wife and I to dinner at his house. It was our anniversary, and we were in New York to have a special dinner out but how could we say no. Among Harry's guests were famed actress, director and producer, Lee Grant. However, it wasn't the guests that were the highlight of the evening. Harry took my wife and I on a tour of his study. On the walls were letters written by Marcus Garvey, Abraham Lincoln, W.E.B. Du Bois; on his desk, an autographed ball from Sandy Koufax; but the most stunning of all was a framed loose-leaf notebook page with the words of the "I Have A Dream" speech that Dr. Martin Luther King had given Harry as a thank you. The "rough draft" had been written while Dr. King was staying with him.
In the 1980's when famine threatened the African diaspora, Harry created "We Are The World" and the charity "USA for Africa" which has raised more One Hundred Million Dollars in relief aid. There is a lovely outtake from the "We Are The World" sessions where Al Jarreau and others start singing "The Banana Boat Song" to Harry as a tribute to his leadership. It's wonderful to see so many major stars saluting Harry in that moment.
In a business where so many famous people can disappoint you with pettiness, perceived slights and ego, Harry stood as a giant for his humanity, courage, conviction and inspiration.
We were both born on March 1st, although many years apart. I will treasure the lessons he taught me about life, the way an artist should interact with the World and what's truly important.
I miss you Harry.