Leon Bibb | |
|---|---|
&sq=Albert Einstein&lang=en&file=File:Leon_Bibb_1976.JPG) Bibb in 1976. | |
| Background information | |
| Born | February 7, 1922 Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Died | October 23, 2015 (aged 93) Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| Genres | Folk music |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, actor |
| Instrument | Vocals |
Leon Bibb (February 7, 1922 – October 23, 2015) was an American-Canadian folk singer and actor. His a cappella vocals blend his classical, spiritual and blues influences. He is the father of the New York-based acoustic blues singer/songwriter Eric Bibb,[1] and grandfather of Swedish dancer and performer Rennie Mirro.
Bibb was born in Louisville, Kentucky studied voice in New York City, and worked on Broadway. His career began when he became a featured soloist of the Louisville Municipal College glee club as a student.[2]
He was one of the performers at the first Newport Folk Festival in 1959. He also had his own NBC television talk show.[3][1][4]
During the late-1950s and early-1960s, Bibb was one of a number of American entertainers, such as his good friend Paul Robeson, who were blacklisted for alleged ties to left-wing groups and causes.[5] Despite that setback, Bibb continued to perform, and around 1963–64 he was featured singing on the national TV show, Hootenanny, on The Ed Sullivan Show and performed with Bill Cosby on tours.[6][7]
In October 1963, Bibb was interviewed about folk music and his recent live album, "Encore! Leon Bibb in Concert," on Folk Music Worldwide, an international short-wave radio station in New York City.[8] In 1963, Bibb traveled to Mississippi to join Dick Gregory and others in the fight against racial segregation in the United States.[9]
He also provided the soundtrack to Luis Buñuel's 1960 film The Young One.[10] Bibb appeared on an episode of Sesame Street in November 1970.[11]
He lived in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, after 1969.[3]In 2009, he was made a Member of the Order of British Columbia. At the time of receiving this honour, Bibb was still an active performer.[6]
- ^ a b "Leon Bibb Rolls On". Edmonton Journal. September 29, 2007. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
- ^ "Compass Turns to Leon Bibb". Ottawa Citizen. August 14, 1965. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
- ^ a b "Leon Bibb". The Canadian Encyclopedia of Music. Archived from the original on February 4, 2013. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
- ^ Wilson, Earl (September 11, 1967). "Buying Favorite Barber Own Shop Is a Mistake". St. Joseph Gazette. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
- ^ "Eric Bibb Lives His Legacy". The Vancouver Province. April 13, 2007. Archived from the original on January 19, 2013. Retrieved April 14, 2011.
- ^ a b "Order of British Columbia Members". Order of British Columbia. 2009. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
- ^ "Ad for Bill Cosby and Leon Bibb appearance". The Sun. August 1, 1968. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
- ^ "LEON BIBB - Folk Music Worldwide, 1963". www.folkmusicworldwide.com. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
- ^ "Leon Bibb Joins Stars on 'Mississippi Front'". Washington Afro-American. April 23, 1963. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
- ^ "The Young One". IMDb.
- ^ Sesame Street Episode 134 (1970, Leon Bibb Sings About Trains), YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvxJFQsdVNE&t=670s