Mankiewicz and other famous performers to participate in 1963's March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.įramed by American actor Charleton Heston (1923 - 2008) (left) and singer Harry Belafonte (right), writer James Baldwin (1924 - 1987) (center left) talks with actor Marlon Brando (1924 - 2004) in the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, Washington DC, August 28, 1963. He is responsible for drawing Marlon Brando, Charlton Heston, director Joseph L. Belafonte's stage and screen career and his activism weren't often overtly entwined, but his stardom was central to marshaling other celebrities to civil rights causes. It also fed Belafonte's life's work as an activist who bridged the entertainment industry and the world of social justice. This career high was one of many that led to the singer, producer and actor's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. It topped the Billboard charts for 31 weeks and made him the first platinum-selling recording artist in the industry's history, with the LP's sales exceeding a million copies. "Day-O" is the most famous track from 1956's "Calypso," one of the 30 studio albums Belafonte would release during his lifetime. The payoff remains historic: the single sold more than 20 million copies and, along with sales of associated merchandise, generated $75 million for famine relief in Ethiopia and recovery and development programs in Africa through the charity United Support of Artists for Africa.īelafonte's entertainment career and his activism weren't often overtly entwined, but his stardom was central to marshaling celebrities to civil rights causes. and didn't end until around 8 the next morning. supergroup Band-Aid to record " Do They Know It's Christmas?" Belafonte convened some of the biggest stars of the 1980s to record the charity single written by Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson and produced by Quincy Jones and Michael Omartian. Besides, as the reason that "We Are the World" came to be, there was no need. Inspired by Bob Geldof's formation of the U.K. As the cheering increases and the number of voices contributing to the chorus grows Belafonte joins them, like he's content to be part of a higher cause without being the shiniest star in the room.īy that point in his career Belafonte, who died Tuesday at the age of 96, was past the urge to stand out in a crowd of celebrities. Jarreau continues and Belafonte remains slightly abashed until his smile broadens, as if he's accepting his signature tune's supernaturally unifying power. Lionel Richie and Harry Belafonte are joined by other performers at the Live Aid concert in Philadelphia as they all sing the concert-ending song of "We Are The World." (Getty Images/Bettmann) He sheepishly smiles, eyes downcast as Smokey Robinson, Ray Charles, and others harmonize with Jarreau on the signature line: " Daylight come and we want go home."
Jane Fonda, who narrates the documentary, describes the serenade as a "spontaneous tribute to Harry Belafonte." Belafonte, standing in the back row, doesn't accept the salute with ease. None were expecting Al Jarreau to spontaneously burst into the universally recognizable run from Harry Belafonte's "Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)." In that moment, captured in " We Are the World: The Story Behind the Song," Jarreau's " Daaaay-O!" pierces the din and perks up the choir.Ī tight shot of Bruce Springsteen's face captures his boyish surprise. It was almost 2 a.m., and the assembled stars had many hours to go before the session wrapped. Four hours into the marathon recording session that yielded the 1985 hit "We Are the World," its nearly 50 participating recording artists were on the verge of taking a break.
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