Harry Belafonte: Singer and civil rights activist dies aged 96

Harry Belafonte, the vocalist and histrion who smashed radical barriers successful the US, has died astatine location successful Manhattan, aged 96.

One of the astir palmy African-American popular stars successful history, helium scored hits with Island In The Sun, Mary's Boy Child and the UK fig 1 Day-O (The Banana Boat Song).

But his top achievements were arsenic a campaigner for achromatic civilian rights successful the US.

He died of congestive bosom failure, said his spokesperson Ken Sunshine.