Harry Belafonte broke several records as a singer throughout his active years until his death, and he made history when Billboard launched its Album Chart in 1956.
The New York City-born musician started his career in 1949. But it was during the 1950s when he started conquering the industry through his calypso music.
In 1956, he released his multi-awarded breakthrough album, "Calypso," which also became the first million-selling LP by a solo artist. The album before Calypso also helped him make history.
Harry Belafonte Dominated Billboard 200 Album Chart
During the same year, Billboard launched its premier albums chart, Billboard 200. After its creation, it hailed Belafonte as the first artist to have a No. 1 on the chart with his hit album, "Belafonte."
It served as his second studio album after his 1954 "Mark Twain and Other Folk Favorites" and before the RIAA Gold-certified "Calypso."
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In a report shared by Billboard, it can be seen that Belafonte's album beat other pop albums at that time, including "Oklahoma!" "Carousel," "The Benny Goodman Story," and "Julie Is Her Name."
"Belafonte" stayed on top before Elvis Presley's self-titled debut album dethroned it after six weeks. The singer, however, reclaimed his spot with "Calypso" in September 1956. The record became his second No. 1 on the chart.
Harry Belafonte Dead at 96
His accolades and records resurfaced after multiple media outlets reported his death.
His representatives confirmed to ABC News that he died Tuesday at his New York home with his wife, Pamela, beside him. Belafonte was 96.
It also disclosed that Harry Belafonte's cause of death was congestive heart failure.
He started working as a janitorial assistant, and the job soon unleashed his love for acting after a tenant gave him tickets to the American Negro Theater. At that time, he met Sidney Poitier and began attending local plays with him.
While Belafonte performed at the ANT, he also served as a club singer to support himself in his acting classes. His music career started while he was pursuing a spotlight in the acting industry.
In 1953, he officially marked his debut in the film industry in Dorothy Dandridge-led film "Bright Road." Belafonte also tried his luck by establishing his own HarBel production.
Among the notable works he had as an actor included "White Man's Burden," "Uptown Saturday Night," "Swing Vote," "Buck and the Preacher," and "Uptown Saturday Night."
Before Belafonte's death, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.
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