Harry Belafonte passed away on April 25, 2023, at 96 years old. The Recording Academy honored the iconic musician/activist as part of the “In Memoriam” segment at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards, but the late singer’s family wanted to see more.
“Love @itstonybennett Love @tinaturner Love @sinadeocconor. Why the @recordingacademy [chose] not to do a special tribute to you I will #never understand! So here is my Grammy tribute to you dad!” Gina Belafonte wrote on Facebook.
She continued, “So many winners you’ve mentored! So many winners you shared your stage with. You are the winner @theharrybelafonte and we are better because of your contribution! Belafonte’s career breakthrough album Calypso (1956) was the first million-selling LP by a single artist.”
In addition, Shari Belafonte echoed her sibling’s frustrations with this year’s Grammy Awards. Shari used her Facebook page to list some of Harry Belafonte’s accolades as a recording artist. For example, the “Banana Boat (Day-O)” performer is a non-competitive EGOT recipient.
“I’m taking Gina Belafonte’s lead on this. While the folks who had a bit more of a #shoutout on the #GrammyAwards this year were absolutely deserving of accolades, I’m a bit appalled that our father was not included in a #SpecialTribute and I’m not just saying that because he was our father,” Shari Belafonte posted on Facebook.
She also added, “While no doubt, Tony Bennett and Tina Turner were special indeed, Harry contributed far more to society and the music industry than those two put together, in my humble opinion. The Grammys missed a major moment.”
Harry Belafonte won two Grammy Awards during his career. He first took home a golden gramophone when Swing Dat Hammer won Best Performance – Folk in 1961. An Evening With Belafonte/Makeba scored a Best Folk Recording victory at 1966’s 8th Annual Grammy Awards.
Additionally, Belafonte won a Tony Award in 1954 and an Emmy Award in 1960. Plus, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presented the Harlem-born entertainer with the non-competitive Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the Oscar’s 2014 Governors Awards. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted him in 2022.
The Recording Academy featured numerous artists in the Grammy Award show’s “In Memoriam” montage. Hip-Hop acts such as DJ Mark the 45 King, Magoo, Gangsta Boo and Trugoy the Dove were included in the tribute. Special performances commemorated Tina Turner, Tony Bennett, Sinead O’Connor and Clarence Avant.
