Harry Belafonte’s Household Takes Problem With Grammy’s In Memoriam

Harry Belafonte handed away on April 25, 2023, at 96 years outdated. The Recording Academy honored the long-lasting musician/activist as a part of the “In Memoriam” phase on the 66th Annual Grammy Awards, however the late singer’s household wished to see extra.

“Love @itstonybennett Love @tinaturner Love @sinadeocconor. Why the @recordingacademy [chose] to not do a particular tribute to you I’ll #by no means perceive! So right here is my Grammy tribute to you dad!” Gina Belafonte wrote on Fb.

She continued, “So many winners you’ve mentored! So many winners you shared your stage with. You’re the winner @theharrybelafonte and we’re higher due to your contribution! Belafonte’s profession breakthrough album Calypso (1956) was the primary million-selling LP by a single artist.”

As well as, Shari Belafonte echoed her sibling’s frustrations with this yr’s Grammy Awards. Shari used her Fb web page to listing a few of Harry Belafonte’s accolades as a recording artist. For instance, the “Banana Boat (Day-O)” performer is a non-competitive EGOT recipient.

“I’m taking Gina Belafonte’s lead on this. Whereas the oldsters who had a bit extra of a #shoutout on the #GrammyAwards this yr have been completely deserving of accolades, I’m a bit appalled that our father was not included in a #SpecialTribute and I’m not simply saying that as a result of he was our father,” Shari Belafonte posted on Fb.

She additionally added, “Whereas little doubt, Tony Bennett and Tina Turner have been particular certainly, Harry contributed way more to society and the music business than these two put collectively, in my humble opinion. The Grammys missed a significant second.”

Harry Belafonte received two Grammy Awards throughout his profession. He first took dwelling a golden gramophone when Swing Dat Hammer received Finest Efficiency – Folks in 1961. An Night With Belafonte/Makeba scored a Finest Folks Recording victory at 1966’s eighth Annual Grammy Awards.

Moreover, Belafonte received a Tony Award in 1954 and an Emmy Award in 1960. Plus, the Academy of Movement Image Arts and Sciences offered the Harlem-born entertainer with the non-competitive Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award on the Oscar’s 2014 Governors Awards. The Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame inducted him in 2022.

The Recording Academy featured quite a few artists within the Grammy Award present’s “In Memoriam” montage. Hip-Hop acts equivalent to DJ Mark the 45 King, Magoo, Gangsta Boo and Trugoy the Dove have been included within the tribute. Particular performances commemorated Tina Turner, Tony Bennett, Sinead O’Connor and Clarence Avant.