Leon Bibb (musician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Leon Bibb
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Bibb in 1976.
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| 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 |
| Instruments | Vocals |
Leon Bibb (born February 7, 1922 – died October 23, 2015) was a talented American-Canadian folk singer and actor. He grew up in Kentucky and later studied singing in New York City. He even performed on Broadway!
Leon Bibb's music career started when he was a student. He became a featured singer in his college's glee club. Later in his life, after 1969, he moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
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Early Life and Music
Leon Bibb was born in Louisville, Kentucky. He was one of the first performers at the famous Newport Folk Festival in 1959. This festival is a big event for folk music. He also had his own TV talk show on NBC.
During the late 1950s and early 1960s, Leon Bibb faced some challenges. Like his good friend Paul Robeson, he was one of several American entertainers who were prevented from working easily. This happened because some people thought they were connected to certain political groups.
Fighting for Fairness
Even with these difficulties, Leon Bibb kept performing. In 1963, he traveled to Mississippi. He joined others, like comedian Dick Gregory, to fight against racial segregation. This was a time when laws kept people of different races apart. Bibb stood up for what he believed was right.
Continuing His Career
Around 1963 and 1964, Leon Bibb was featured on popular TV shows. He sang on Hootenanny and The Ed Sullivan Show. He also toured and performed with the famous comedian Bill Cosby.
Bibb's voice was also heard in movies. He provided the music for the 1960 film The Young One. Later, in 1970, he appeared on an episode of Sesame Street. His singing style was unique. He often sang without instruments, using only his voice (this is called a cappella). His music blended classical, spiritual, and blues sounds.
Later Years and Recognition
In 2009, Leon Bibb received a special honor. He was made a Member of the Order of British Columbia. This award recognizes people who have made great contributions to the Canadian province. At that time, Bibb was still actively performing.
Leon Bibb passed away on October 23, 2015. He was the father of Eric Bibb, who is also a well-known acoustic blues singer. He was also the grandfather of Swedish dancer Rennie Mirro.
Music Albums
Leon Bibb released many albums during his career. Here are some of them:
Studio Albums
- Leon Bibb Sings Folk Songs (1959)
- Tol' My Captain (1960)
- Leon Bibb Sings Love Songs (1960)
- Leon Bibb Sings (1961)
- Oh Freedom and Other Spirituals (1962)
- Cherries & Plums (1964)
- The Now Composers (1967)
- Foment, Ferment, Free... Free (1969)
- This Is Leon Bibb (1970)
- Shenandoah (1997)
- Lift Every Voice And Sing (2003)
Live Album
- Encore! (1963)
Team-Up Albums
- The Skifflers: Goin' Down To Town (1957)
- Leon & Eric Bibb: A Family Affair (2002)
- Leon & Eric Bibb: Praising Peace: A Tribute To Paul Robeson (2006)
