Currently Listening too......

Jenny posted a song on another thread that got me reminiscing and digging out some old records. It was Harry Belafonte's 'Island in the Sun'

He has a wonderful mellow, evocative, voice and, in the 1960's had a hit with this song opening song from the show 'The Fantasticks'. The song has been covered many times, charting most of the time, and also used in the film 'The Man Who Fell To Earth'.



For those who may be too young to know about him:- he had dozens of hit songs, starred in many films, was a civil rights activist, a humanitarian activist (a good will ambassador for UNICEF) and helped many brilliant singers become famous. When he first started singing he was mentored by the brilliant singer, and actor, Paul Robeson.

 

Usual brief bio:-

Paul Robeson, apart from being a world renowned singer, was an all American football star, a qualified lawyer (very unusual for a black person in the 20's in the U.S.A.), spoke ten languages, a classical singer, Shakespearean actor (his role of Othello at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane was the longest running performance of that role at that theatre), international movie star and human rights activist. He performed for the King and became a big singing star over here.

Because of his political/human rights activism he was charged with un-americanism under the McCarthy regime and had his performing licence removed (as did many people in show business in those days) and the FBI revoked his passport.

Posthumously he was awarded an Academy Award, a lifetime achievment Grammy, named in the College Football Hall of Fame as well as being given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

 

Now here's a blast from the past, whose records I've just come across in my collection.

Lonnie Donegan MBE, King of Skiffle, who played skiffle/folk/jazz/rock and had 30 top twenty hits in a seven year period.

He was also a songwriter and wrote 'I'll Never Fall In Love Again' for Tom Jones.

He had a hit with his version of this song from the 1956 musical 'The Bells Are Ringing'.
He got it into the top ten in 1962 because, apart from being a good record, it became well known for being the last, smoochy, song to be played at discos and parties.