Description

Harry Belafonte is known as one of history’s most successful and iconic pop stars. The “King of Calypso” brought us the Banana Boat Song (Day-O), Matilda, and his album Calypso was the first million-selling LP by a single artist. While his ongoing career in film, television and personal appearances continue to bring him universal acclaim, his passion for civil rights is still at the core of everything he does. In Making Belafonte, host Terrance McKnight takes us through his recently discovered personal connection to the iconic artist, and Belafonte introduces us to the people and experiences that helped shape his character and artistic aspirations. “Making Belafonte” was written and produced by Terrance McKnight and Curtis Macdonald, who also directed, edited and did sound design. Special thanks to WQXR’s Program Director Michael Shobe, our script editor Merrin Lazyan, The Smithsonian Institute, WNYC’s archivist Andy Lanset, and our WQXR interns Sapir Rosenblatt and Greta Rainbow. Also thanks to Esther Adler, curator at the Museum of Modern Art and to Pamela and Harry Belafonte. Airs Tuesday, February 26, 2019, at 9:00 pm on 105.9 FM, WQXR, 90.3 FM WQXW, and 103.7 FM, Poughkeepsie.