It has been a difficult day....
The photos are not too good and I couldn't find others (like for Sport Aid).
By the way, Nigel Fisher is mentioned (see excerpt below) in Harry's book "My Song" in which he describes his field visit to Rwanda (pp. 402-) he also talks very well about Audrey.
Maybe this section might be of interest to our colleagues.
All the best, Horst.
Remembering Harry Belafonte
By Horst Cerni
Harry Belafonte has always been one of my favorite singers, and his song “Oh island in the sun…” expressed my own dreams to live on a Caribbean island.
I don’t actually remember my first meeting with Harry. I had talked with his assistant and also with him on the phone inviting him to be the keynote speaker at the upcoming celebration of the Day of the African Child. He expressed interest, and then, to my great surprise, he said “I am coming over to your apartment to talk about it.” He not only agreed to give the speech, but he was anxious to follow in Danny Kaye’s footsteps and promote the well being and rights of children, especially in Africa.
Our next big event in 1986 was Sport Aid - The Race Against Time - and he was one of the main speakers.
We planned the meetings of Artists and Intellectuals in Harare and Dakar, and Harry was an enthusiastic participant. On March 3, 1988, he was the main artist at the UNICEF Music Festival “Rocking down South” in Harare. The evening before the concert, President Mugabe requested a command performance. Harry was tired and some of his musicians had gone to town. It was difficult to convince him, but we all realized that if Harry wouldn’t perform, the President could simply cancel the festival. So Harry gave another stellar performance for an elite audience. The first Lady was the Chairperson of the Artists and Intellectual meeting which followed the festival.
Harry did field visits, gave media interviews and supported the fundraising campaigns of the national committees. I tried to stay in touch and always remembered his birthday. Once he called to thank me.
Harry was a wonderful human being and a champion for the rights of underprivileged children. He will be missed. RIP.
Photos
Island in the Sun - Live at the BBC in 1977 - from the album, "Belafonte Sings of the Caribbean (1957)
Excerpt from 'My Song' - pages 402-406- 'To Rwanda with Nigel Fisher'
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