Died On This Date (January 23, 1976) Paul Robeson / Folk Great
themusicsover Paul Robeson
April 9, 1898 – January 23, 1976
Paul Robeson was an amazing renaissance man. He was an internationally famous stage and screen actor, multi-lingual orator, scholar, professional athlete, social justice activist, lawyer, and a singer who possessed a booming baritone voice. With all that came controversy. Due to his vocal social justice beliefs and worldwide fame, he found himself to be a direct target by the government and media during the McCarthy era. Robeson is perhaps best known as the first African-American actor to portray Othello on Broadway. He was also played the iconic character, “Joe” (which was written for him) in the London, Broadway, and film versions of Show Boat. His version of the show’s “Ol’ Man River,” is considered to be definitive one. Other recordings, like 1939’s Ballad For Americans, made him a hero to the ’60s folk movement. There is far too much about this remarkable man to be included here, so do yourself a favor and read more about him elsewhere. Paul Robeson was 77 when he died of a stroke on January 23, 1976.
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