Making Belafonte: An Appreciation with Terrance McKnight
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 career in film, television and personal appearances brought him universal acclaim, his passion for civil rights was still at the core of everything he did.
In Making Belafonte, host Terrance McKnight takes us through his recently discovered personal connection to the iconic artist, and introduces us to the people and experiences that helped shape Belafonte's 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 Michael Shobe, script editor Merrin Lazyan, The Smithsonian Institute, WNYC’s archivist Andy Lanset, and 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.
