Paul Robeson went from international stardom to obscurityA memorial is being unveiled in London to singer Paul Robeson, blacklisted as "un-American" in the 1950s. Tony Benn, one of the surviving links with a support group in the UK, recalls meeting his hero.
Paul Robeson went from international stardom to obscurityA memorial is being unveiled in London to singer Paul Robeson, blacklisted as "un-American" in the 1950s. Tony Benn, one of the surviving links with a support group in the UK, recalls meeting his hero.
Paul Robeson was one of the world's first musical superstars, his rich, bass voice booming out of wireless sets from Detroit to Dover.
Paul Robeson was one of the world's first musical superstars, his rich, bass voice booming out of wireless sets from Detroit to Dover.
In the late 1930s, UK radio listeners, more used to warblers in dinner jackets, voted this black American their favourite singer.
In the late 1930s, UK radio listeners, more used to warblers in dinner jackets, voted this black American their favourite singer.
And performances on Broadway and in Hollywood movies made the son of an escaped slave one of the biggest-selling names in entertainment.
And performances on Broadway and in Hollywood movies made the son of an escaped slave one of the biggest-selling names in entertainment.
But within a decade, Robeson's left-wing politics had almost erased him from public view in his own country - driven off the airwaves, blocked from performing and barred by record companies.
But within a decade, Robeson's left-wing politics had almost erased him from public view in his own country - driven off the airwaves, blocked from performing and barred by record companies.
Such hostility did not face the singer in the UK. In commemoration of his years spent living here, a memorial is being unveiled on Wednesday at the University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies, where he studied.
Such hostility did not face the singer in the UK. In commemoration of his years spent living here, a memorial is being unveiled on Wednesday at the University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies, where he studied.
Last link
Last link
Making the speech in honour of Robeson will be one of the last surviving links with the British campaign that supported the blacklisted singer - the veteran politician, Tony Benn.
Making the speech in honour of Robeson will be one of the last surviving links with the British campaign that supported the blacklisted singer - the veteran politician, Tony Benn.
ROBESON'S LIFE 1898: Born New Jersey, son of an escaped slaveProfessional football player, paid his way through law schoolStarred in Othello on stage and movies including Showboat, singing Old Man RiverPerformed for left-wing causes in US, USSR and UK1946: Faced Un-American Activities Committee. Concerts cancelled, barred from TV, recordings banned, passport revoked1976: After prolonged ill-health, dies in Philadelphia
ROBESON'S LIFE 1898: Born New Jersey, son of an escaped slaveProfessional football player, paid his way through law schoolStarred in Othello on stage and movies including Showboat, singing Old Man RiverPerformed for left-wing causes in US, USSR and UK1946: Faced Un-American Activities Committee. Concerts cancelled, barred from TV, recordings banned, passport revoked1976: After prolonged ill-health, dies in Philadelphia
"He was one of the greatest figures of the past century. He stood for everything I believed in," says Benn.
"He was one of the greatest figures of the past century. He stood for everything I believed in," says Benn.
Robeson had a remarkably eclectic career. In the face of raw racial prejudice, he became a famous athlete, lawyer, Shakespearean actor, movie star and singer - and with success at every turn, he could have basked in well-heeled celebrity status.
Robeson had a remarkably eclectic career. In the face of raw racial prejudice, he became a famous athlete, lawyer, Shakespearean actor, movie star and singer - and with success at every turn, he could have basked in well-heeled celebrity status.
But instead Robeson became deeply involved in left-wing politics - a path that led him into a grinding battle with the authorities suspicious of his sympathies for the Soviet Union.
But instead Robeson became deeply involved in left-wing politics - a path that led him into a grinding battle with the authorities suspicious of his sympathies for the Soviet Union.
This confrontation escalated to the extent that Robeson was blocked from leaving the US. Which is how he met Benn.
This confrontation escalated to the extent that Robeson was blocked from leaving the US. Which is how he met Benn.
"You could take away his passport, but you couldn't take away his voice," says Benn.
"You could take away his passport, but you couldn't take away his voice," says Benn.
In 1957, infuriated by the travel ban on Robeson, Benn helped to organise a protest meeting in Camden. Unable to be there in person, Robeson sang down a phone line to 1,000 supporters crammed into a hall in north London.
In 1957, infuriated by the travel ban on Robeson, Benn helped to organise a protest meeting in Camden. Unable to be there in person, Robeson sang down a phone line to 1,000 supporters crammed into a hall in north London.
"It was only elementary technology, but it was Paul Robeson," says Benn.
"It was only elementary technology, but it was Paul Robeson," says Benn.
The whole tea room went silent, it was the most extraordinary experience Benn on hearing Robeson sing And when Robeson's passport was returned, he came to visit Benn and his family at the Houses of Parliament - an encounter that still stands out for the 81-year-old political veteran.
The whole tea room went silent, it was the most extraordinary experience Benn on hearing Robeson sing And when Robeson's passport was returned, he came to visit Benn and his family at the Houses of Parliament - an encounter that still stands out for the 81-year-old political veteran.
"Robeson was like an electro-magnet going through a pile of iron filings. It wasn't just admiring fans, it was deep admiration... he radiated personality, a man of great commitment and strength... totally immune to the persecution he suffered."
"Robeson was like an electro-magnet going through a pile of iron filings. It wasn't just admiring fans, it was deep admiration... he radiated personality, a man of great commitment and strength... totally immune to the persecution he suffered."
Prompted by Benn's elderly aunt, Robeson sang Old Man River. "The whole tea room went silent, it was the most extraordinary experience."
Prompted by Benn's elderly aunt, Robeson sang Old Man River. "The whole tea room went silent, it was the most extraordinary experience."
Treasured memory
Treasured memory
Speaking in his west London home, surrounded by shelves spilling over with decades of his diaries, Benn is now a great repository of political memories.
Speaking in his west London home, surrounded by shelves spilling over with decades of his diaries, Benn is now a great repository of political memories.
He recalls canvassing as a child in the 1935 election, meeting figures such as Oswald Mosley and Mahatma Gandhi, watching London burn during the Blitz, losing his brother in World War II. "Experience is the only teacher," he says.
He recalls canvassing as a child in the 1935 election, meeting figures such as Oswald Mosley and Mahatma Gandhi, watching London burn during the Blitz, losing his brother in World War II. "Experience is the only teacher," he says.
Appearing on BBC TV in 1949But the memory of Robeson still stirs him deeply. When he puts on a video of a scene from Proud Valley, a 1940s Robeson movie set in Wales, he is in tears at the story about overcoming discrimination.
Appearing on BBC TV in 1949But the memory of Robeson still stirs him deeply. When he puts on a video of a scene from Proud Valley, a 1940s Robeson movie set in Wales, he is in tears at the story about overcoming discrimination.
"I was brought up on the Bible like Paul, right and wrong is what it's about. If people are badly treated, you support them. It's easy to make speeches, but the crucial question is whose side are you on when the going gets rough."
"I was brought up on the Bible like Paul, right and wrong is what it's about. If people are badly treated, you support them. It's easy to make speeches, but the crucial question is whose side are you on when the going gets rough."
He sees Robeson as an example of sticking to beliefs. Whether it was campaigning against lynching in the US or supporting Welsh miners, he backed the underdog.
He sees Robeson as an example of sticking to beliefs. Whether it was campaigning against lynching in the US or supporting Welsh miners, he backed the underdog.
"What really influenced him was the way his people were treated - it was what gave him his motivation, and his enormous talent gave him an opportunity to get that into the public arena."
"What really influenced him was the way his people were treated - it was what gave him his motivation, and his enormous talent gave him an opportunity to get that into the public arena."
"The establishment still distrust him, because he was a socialist and an internationalist, even in death he's still regarded in the United States as a suspect figure," says Benn.
"The establishment still distrust him, because he was a socialist and an internationalist, even in death he's still regarded in the United States as a suspect figure," says Benn.
After a five-year stay in the UK, Robeson returned home to relative obscurity and prolonged ill-health, with his reputation only gradually being rehabilitated after his death in 1976.
After a five-year stay in the UK, Robeson returned home to relative obscurity and prolonged ill-health, with his reputation only gradually being rehabilitated after his death in 1976.
In terms of Robeson's relevance, Benn says it's the way that the singer connected his own experiences with his beliefs.
In terms of Robeson's relevance, Benn says it's the way that the singer connected his own experiences with his beliefs.
Challenged by the Un-American Activities Committee with the blunt question: "Why do you not stay in Russia?" Robeson answered: "Because my father was a slave, and my people died to build this country and I am going to stay here and have a part of it just like you."
Challenged by the Un-American Activities Committee with the blunt question: "Why do you not stay in Russia?" Robeson answered: "Because my father was a slave, and my people died to build this country and I am going to stay here and have a part of it just like you."
Add your comments on this story, using the form below.
Add your comments on this story, using the form below.
Once in a very long while, you get to read about a courageous person. By telling this, Tony Benn has kept Paul Robeson's memory alive.Ann Ninan, Noida, India
Once in a very long while, you get to read about a courageous person. By telling this, Tony Benn has kept Paul Robeson's memory alive.Ann Ninan, Noida, India
I remember my mother getting ready for a concert in the Capitol theatre Cardiff. How excited she was to be seeing this idol live in the flesh. Mum and her friend dressed to the nines in sequins and fur coats, you would have thought they were going to a premiere or royal command performance. I was only a child but knew how important it was for my mother to see Paul Robeson on that stage. Karen Warr, Cardiff
I remember my mother getting ready for a concert in the Capitol theatre Cardiff. How excited she was to be seeing this idol live in the flesh. Mum and her friend dressed to the nines in sequins and fur coats, you would have thought they were going to a premiere or royal command performance. I was only a child but knew how important it was for my mother to see Paul Robeson on that stage. Karen Warr, Cardiff
Given his absolute reverence for Stalin and Stalinism, rehabilitating Paul Robeson isn't such an easy task - or an appropriate one. Although he was a tireless campaigner against racial segregation in the US, he remained strongly supportive of a Soviet regime which was unprecedented in its brutality - and despite his personal experiences of an underlying anti-semitism in the Soviet state. Robeson certainly deserves to be remembered, but as the flawed legend he really was.Dex Torricke-Barton, London
Given his absolute reverence for Stalin and Stalinism, rehabilitating Paul Robeson isn't such an easy task - or an appropriate one. Although he was a tireless campaigner against racial segregation in the US, he remained strongly supportive of a Soviet regime which was unprecedented in its brutality - and despite his personal experiences of an underlying anti-semitism in the Soviet state. Robeson certainly deserves to be remembered, but as the flawed legend he really was.Dex Torricke-Barton, London
A groundbreaking and inspirational figure, a true Renaissance man, who never lost his dignity or the courage to speak out for his beliefs. I am proud that he found comfort, acceptance and genuine admiration for his talents here in the UK. Miki, London
It is good to see that Paul Robeson is being remembered. Not only does his singing, still today, sound powerfull and moving. His courage as a person says much to us today. We should celebrate such people in this difficult times, as they have much to teach us. Bill Waine, Coventry
It is good to see that Paul Robeson is being remembered. Not only does his singing, still today, sound powerfull and moving. His courage as a person says much to us today. We should celebrate such people in this difficult times, as they have much to teach us. Bill Waine, Coventry
Paul Robeson was clearly an extraordinary, courageous man, but we shouldn't make a martyr of him just because of America's rejection of him. The US was rightly paranoid about communism, an inhuman system that was ultimately destined to fail and one which, under Stalin, had caused the deaths of millions of people. Paul Robeson was an unfortunate casualty of bigger need for the US to protect itself.Julian Howard, London
A dose of historical perspective, from someone who almost personifies it: Tony Benn. It's the sort of thing that puts current events into a different light. Will the accepted wisdom in 20 years time put Guantanamo into the same light?David Evans, London
I was brought up with the sound of Paul Robeson. My late father played Paul's recordings to me when I was a young child ( I'm 47 now) and told me Robeson's story. I still love the sound of his voice and now my children listen to it as well.Jon D, Wolverhampton
I was brought up with the sound of Paul Robeson. My late father played Paul's recordings to me when I was a young child ( I'm 47 now) and told me Robeson's story. I still love the sound of his voice and now my children listen to it as well.Jon D, Wolverhampton
Every generation has it's weirdnesses. We've had witch-burning, the Spanish inquisition, the "Un-American Activities Committee". Today's it's Guantanamo. You'd think we'd have learned better by now.John Airey, Peterborough
Every generation has it's weirdnesses. We've had witch-burning, the Spanish inquisition, the "Un-American Activities Committee". Today's it's Guantanamo. You'd think we'd have learned better by now.John Airey, Peterborough
