Paul Robeson at St Paul's Cathedral in London

I had met Mr Robeson only a few days before this epic appearance and had a 10 minute private audience with him. Here he is singinging to 4,000 people inside the Cathedral and another 5,000 massed outside. It is late summer 1958. A landmark in his career; the first black man to sing in St Paul's Cathedral.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• St
• Paul's
• Cathedral
• Jacob's
• Ladder

[USB2540]

Met the man the year before this performance, 1957 in Grosvenor Hall, Belfast. He should have been born in Britain for the good America did for him. McCarthy and the FBI have a lot to answer for.

[banjostead]

@USB2540 Don't think you did old chap, although I'm sure you did meet him at some time - I'm not disputing that. He didn't get his passport back until the summer of 1958. In June 58 the Supreme Court in a 5/4 split decision announced that the Secretary of State had no right to withhold his passport. He was kept within the boundaries of the USA from 1951 until 1958. At one time in 1954 branded as "The most dangerous man in the world and a direct threat to the United States of America".

[banjostead]

I'm afraid not.

[drdavidjcarey]

The greatest American that ever lived. He was too big for America! His greatness has never been properly recognised.

[banjostead]

@drdavidjcarey I wouldn't argue with that, except suggest Pete Seeger might be given an equal billing?

[banjostead]

GB stands for Great Britain.

[willbeaver]

Thats wonderful!

I used to listen to Paul Robeson on BBC Radio on Sunday evenings in the early 60's. The program lasted I think a half hour, and he introduced each song before he sang. His speaking voice was as fascinating as his singing voice. I recorded many of the programs on an early domestic reel to reel tape recorder, and still have them. Unfortunately they are unplayable now.

[karasuma4jo]

Viva Robeson!!

[USB2540]

could have been 1958 ok, but I have the programme for the event with his autograph. Must look it up

[Hannes2k]

This is indeed epic, would love to hear and see the whole thing. Where did you find this?

[Hannes2k]

@banjostead Please film and upload it :-)

[bintalshamsa]

@banjostead Do you have any of your lectures posted on the internet? I'm in the USA and I'd love to hear them. There is a real dearth of knowledge about this extraordinary man's life.

[veganboxer]

@MustangIVU years ago I got a video about paul robeson from the library