As well as his music, his promotion and support for progressive causes has been important. He has also supported financially many musicians and actors who were unable to work because of their political views.

He spoke at the Bristol Festival of Ideas, in 2011 or 2012 I think. The format was an interview but the interviewer only asked about 4 questions, to each of which Belafonte gave 15-minute replies. This was followed by questions from the audience, one of which asked for his opinion of Barak Obama's presidency. Belafonte made a few comments, favourable and not, and concluded that he was "waiting for Obama to be brave".

About 90 minutes in, a mobile phone rang. Belafonte looked around the audience, then looked as though a light dawned, reached in his pocket and pulled out his phone. He silenced it, looked at it and said "It says it's time for me to go". And so he did - a very effective exit by a professional performer.

Phil