Paul Robeson, the Singer
November 2, 1924 Performs the first-ever concert in the United States devoted entirely to "Negro" music, at Boston's Copley Plaza Hotel.
April 19, 1925 In what becomes a revolution in the history of American music, gives concert consisting solely of songs composed and arranged by African Americans, accompanied by Lawrence Brown, at Greenwich Village Theatre, New York City. A resounding success, this concert elevates Negro spirituals to a prominent and respected place in the music world, thus paving the way for Marian Anderson, Mahalia Jackson and other great gospel singers.
January—March, 1926
Goes on first US concert tour, accompanied by Lawrence Brown, singing African American songs to packed audiences across the country, receiving unanimous acclaim from reviewers everywhere. Is refused hotel accommodations and restaurant service in Green Bay, WI, Boston and other cities.
Goes on first US concert tour, accompanied by Lawrence Brown, singing African American songs to packed audiences across the country, receiving unanimous acclaim from reviewers everywhere. Is refused hotel accommodations and restaurant service in Green Bay, WI, Boston and other cities.
1927-1939
· While continuing his professional singing and acting career, is active in the British Labor Movement and is involved with the struggles of the workers of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, performing for them on numerous occasions, going down into the pits with the miners to see their working conditions and breaking bread with them and their families. His close relationship with the Welsh coal miners is reflected in the1939 film Proud Valley. Later, back in the U.S., continues to sing for the Welsh miners via trans-Atlantic telephone hook-up. Returning to England in 1949, states, in retrospect, that his earlier time there had a profound influence on his political development: "I learned my militancy and my politics, from your Labor Movement here in Britain... .That was how I realized that the fight of my Negro people in America and the fight of oppressed workers everywhere was the same struggle."
· At London University's School of Oriental Studies, learns Russian, Hebrew, Chinese and several African languages. There, and as he travels, learns the folk music of many peoples and incorporates those songs into his repertoire in their original languages. Also studies the history and cultures of many countries and develops close friendships with many African and Asian students, including some who will later become leaders of their countries, such as Kwame Nkrumah, Jomo Kenyatta, Jawaharlal Nehru. It is through these studies and these friends, as well as African seamen he meets on the docks in London, that he first "discovers" the truth about Africa and howWestern imperialism keeps African nations in colonial bondage. Despite the demands of his professional career and his myriad volunteer activities for progressive causes, he will make the time, throughout his life, to continue these studies and to add more, including extensive study of Marxism-Leninism and Socialism.
· While continuing his professional singing and acting career, is active in the British Labor Movement and is involved with the struggles of the workers of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, performing for them on numerous occasions, going down into the pits with the miners to see their working conditions and breaking bread with them and their families. His close relationship with the Welsh coal miners is reflected in the1939 film Proud Valley. Later, back in the U.S., continues to sing for the Welsh miners via trans-Atlantic telephone hook-up. Returning to England in 1949, states, in retrospect, that his earlier time there had a profound influence on his political development: "I learned my militancy and my politics, from your Labor Movement here in Britain... .That was how I realized that the fight of my Negro people in America and the fight of oppressed workers everywhere was the same struggle."
· At London University's School of Oriental Studies, learns Russian, Hebrew, Chinese and several African languages. There, and as he travels, learns the folk music of many peoples and incorporates those songs into his repertoire in their original languages. Also studies the history and cultures of many countries and develops close friendships with many African and Asian students, including some who will later become leaders of their countries, such as Kwame Nkrumah, Jomo Kenyatta, Jawaharlal Nehru. It is through these studies and these friends, as well as African seamen he meets on the docks in London, that he first "discovers" the truth about Africa and howWestern imperialism keeps African nations in colonial bondage. Despite the demands of his professional career and his myriad volunteer activities for progressive causes, he will make the time, throughout his life, to continue these studies and to add more, including extensive study of Marxism-Leninism and Socialism.
September 29, 1928
Having by now become an internationally famous singer and actor, New Yorker magazine publishes -.. "Profile on Robeson," in which he is called "the promise of his race," "the king of Harlem," and "the idol of his people."
Having by now become an internationally famous singer and actor, New Yorker magazine publishes -.. "Profile on Robeson," in which he is called "the promise of his race," "the king of Harlem," and "the idol of his people."
Mid-April, 1929
Performs concerts in Prague, Czechoslovakia and Budapest, Hungary.
Performs concerts in Prague, Czechoslovakia and Budapest, Hungary.
October 29, 1929
Despite having performed at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall and having received invitations by top London society, encounters racial discrimination and is refused admission to London hotels (through 1930). Creates furor, and major hotels state they will "no longer refuse admission or service to Negroes."
Despite having performed at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall and having received invitations by top London society, encounters racial discrimination and is refused admission to London hotels (through 1930). Creates furor, and major hotels state they will "no longer refuse admission or service to Negroes."
November 5, 1929
'Sings to a packed Carnegie Hall, accompanied by Lawrence Brown, kicking off his second US concert tour.
'Sings to a packed Carnegie Hall, accompanied by Lawrence Brown, kicking off his second US concert tour.
November 10, 1929
Gives second concert within a week at Carnegie Hall, where 1,000 have to be turned away.
Gives second concert within a week at Carnegie Hall, where 1,000 have to be turned away.
December, 1929
Gives concert for a crowd of 1,500 at his alma mater, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ.
Gives concert for a crowd of 1,500 at his alma mater, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ.
October-December, 1930
Makes concert tour of British provinces.
Makes concert tour of British provinces.
January 18, 1931
Begins 2-month US concert tour, with opening at Town Hall, New York City, expanding his repertoire to include Russian, Irish, English and other folk songs.
Begins 2-month US concert tour, with opening at Town Hall, New York City, expanding his repertoire to include Russian, Irish, English and other folk songs.
February 27, 1931
Gives concert of Negro spirituals and classical songs at Auditorium Theatre, Oakland, CA.
Gives concert of Negro spirituals and classical songs at Auditorium Theatre, Oakland, CA.
March, 1931
Makes first concert appearance in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Makes first concert appearance in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
April 16, 1931
Is guest soloist, with the 700-member Westchester (NY) Negro Choral Union, in a concert of spirituals in White Plains. In an interview with The New York Times, explains that the importance of this chorus is that "in the effective organization of so large a body of Negro spiritual singers lies in the hope of
serving the unique contribution of [the] race to the music of America." (Foner)
— February 7, 1937
In radio interview with the Sunday Worker, broadcast from Moscow during concert tour of USSR under auspices of Moscow State Philharmonic, states: "When I sing the 'spirituals' and work songs of the Negro people to Soviet audiences, I feel that a tremendous bond of sympathy and mutual understanding unites us. The Russian folksongs and those of the Soviet National Republics, which were formerly Czarist colonies, bear a close relationship to folksongs of the Negro people. In each instance, these songs were born of the misery and suffering, exploitation and oppression of the people. This oppression made the name of old Russia synonymous with the term 'prison house of nations." (Foner)
June 24, 1937
Sings and speaks at benefit concert for the National Joint Committee for Spanish Refugees in Aid of the Basque Refugee Children's Fund, at Royal Albert Hall, London, with 6,000 in attendance. The event broadcast by radio throughout Europe. Declaring his stand on the side of Republican Spain, states the artist must elect to fight for freedom or slavery. I have made my choice. I had no alternative... .The ilueration of Spain from the oppression of fascist reactionaries is not a private matter of the Spaniards, but the common cause of all advanced and progressive humanity." (Foner) He will reiterate this basic principle on many occasions.
January 23, 1938
Despite the dangers, goes to Spain to sing for troops of International Brigades volunteers and Spanish Loyalists and in hospitals, lifting the spirits of the men and women who are risking their lives for an ideal---the defeat of c----cism. (It has been told that on the battlefield at Teruel, the shooting stopped for one hour while fighters on sides sat and listened to him sing and speak on radio from Madrid, his voice booming via loudspeakersacross the battle lines. While the story is apocryphal, one can easily imagine how it got started.) Linking the struggle against fascism in Spain to the cause of oppressed people everywhere, he says, "My songs come from the lips of the people of other continents who suffer and struggle to make equality a reality. To me, Spain is another homeland, because the people of this country are opposed to racial and class distinctions." Is interviewed by distinguished Afro-Cuban poet Nicolas GuiIlan, for Cuban radio and newspapers.
When asked by Guinan why he came to Spain, Robeson replies: "My devotion to democracy. As an artist, I know that it is dishonorable to put yourself on a plane above the masses, without marching at their side, participating in their anxieties and sorrows, since we artists owe everything to the masses, from our formation to our well-being. And it is not only as an artist that I love the cause of democracy in Spain, but also as a Black. I belong to an oppressed race, discriminated against, one that could not live if fascism triumphed in the world. My father was a slave, and I do not want my children to become slaves....During these last months I have worked a great deal in London, singing to raise funds to send to the Spanish people and I will continue doing it, not only there, but everywhere that I and able to do it." (Foner) It is at this time that the US State Department begins spying on Robeson's activities and recording his statements regarding Spain.
. June 7, 1943
Speaks and sings at Negro Freedom Rally at Madison Square Garden.
Is guest soloist, with the 700-member Westchester (NY) Negro Choral Union, in a concert of spirituals in White Plains. In an interview with The New York Times, explains that the importance of this chorus is that "in the effective organization of so large a body of Negro spiritual singers lies in the hope of
serving the unique contribution of [the] race to the music of America." (Foner)
— February 7, 1937
In radio interview with the Sunday Worker, broadcast from Moscow during concert tour of USSR under auspices of Moscow State Philharmonic, states: "When I sing the 'spirituals' and work songs of the Negro people to Soviet audiences, I feel that a tremendous bond of sympathy and mutual understanding unites us. The Russian folksongs and those of the Soviet National Republics, which were formerly Czarist colonies, bear a close relationship to folksongs of the Negro people. In each instance, these songs were born of the misery and suffering, exploitation and oppression of the people. This oppression made the name of old Russia synonymous with the term 'prison house of nations." (Foner)
June 24, 1937
Sings and speaks at benefit concert for the National Joint Committee for Spanish Refugees in Aid of the Basque Refugee Children's Fund, at Royal Albert Hall, London, with 6,000 in attendance. The event broadcast by radio throughout Europe. Declaring his stand on the side of Republican Spain, states the artist must elect to fight for freedom or slavery. I have made my choice. I had no alternative... .The ilueration of Spain from the oppression of fascist reactionaries is not a private matter of the Spaniards, but the common cause of all advanced and progressive humanity." (Foner) He will reiterate this basic principle on many occasions.
January 23, 1938
Despite the dangers, goes to Spain to sing for troops of International Brigades volunteers and Spanish Loyalists and in hospitals, lifting the spirits of the men and women who are risking their lives for an ideal---the defeat of c----cism. (It has been told that on the battlefield at Teruel, the shooting stopped for one hour while fighters on sides sat and listened to him sing and speak on radio from Madrid, his voice booming via loudspeakersacross the battle lines. While the story is apocryphal, one can easily imagine how it got started.) Linking the struggle against fascism in Spain to the cause of oppressed people everywhere, he says, "My songs come from the lips of the people of other continents who suffer and struggle to make equality a reality. To me, Spain is another homeland, because the people of this country are opposed to racial and class distinctions." Is interviewed by distinguished Afro-Cuban poet Nicolas GuiIlan, for Cuban radio and newspapers.
When asked by Guinan why he came to Spain, Robeson replies: "My devotion to democracy. As an artist, I know that it is dishonorable to put yourself on a plane above the masses, without marching at their side, participating in their anxieties and sorrows, since we artists owe everything to the masses, from our formation to our well-being. And it is not only as an artist that I love the cause of democracy in Spain, but also as a Black. I belong to an oppressed race, discriminated against, one that could not live if fascism triumphed in the world. My father was a slave, and I do not want my children to become slaves....During these last months I have worked a great deal in London, singing to raise funds to send to the Spanish people and I will continue doing it, not only there, but everywhere that I and able to do it." (Foner) It is at this time that the US State Department begins spying on Robeson's activities and recording his statements regarding Spain.
. June 7, 1943
Speaks and sings at Negro Freedom Rally at Madison Square Garden.
July 1, 1943
Performs with Philharmonic Orchestra, for 20,000 at Lewisohn Stadium, New York City.
Performs with Philharmonic Orchestra, for 20,000 at Lewisohn Stadium, New York City.
August 8, 1943
Speaks and sings in San Francisco, at Conference on Racial and National Unity in Wartime, sponsored by the CIO.
Speaks and sings in San Francisco, at Conference on Racial and National Unity in Wartime, sponsored by the CIO.
August 10, 1943
Performs at United Nations Concert, with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, sponsored by San Francisco CIO Council, at San Francisco Civic Auditorium.
Performs at United Nations Concert, with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, sponsored by San Francisco CIO Council, at San Francisco Civic Auditorium.
SCANDALIZE MY NAME
DEEP RIVER
THE HOUSE I LIVE IN
