Most people who have heard the name Paul Robeson associate him with " old man river" like me..but there is more a lot more to PR life than that.

A unique and remarkable life in many ways, before I had 1st seen Joe Stead do this presentation 18 years ago I had no idea of Paul Robesons off stage 100% commitment to working people all over the world.

http://www.englishriviera.co.uk/whats-o ... n-p1996343" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If you live down here Joes on tonight at Brixham and next week in Exeter.

I couldn't have been only person think this was about our Robbo but spelt incorrectly

Robeson was a wonderful man - here's an amazing example of hios bravery, honesty and understanding https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTFYnXJSCm8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Sorry - I live nowhere near Brixham or Exeter.

I wonder if I'm the only one who was expecting a badly spelt post about our reserve keeper.

He connected with The Welsh miners.

Have vinyl of Robeson at Carnegie Hall

South West Claret. wrote:Most people who have heard the name Paul Robeson associate him with " old man river" like me..but there is more a lot more to PR life than that.

A unique and remarkable life in many ways, before I had 1st seen Joe Stead do this presentation 18 years ago I had no idea of Paul Robesons off stage 100% commitment to working people all over the world.

http://www.englishriviera.co.uk/whats-o ... n-p1996343" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If you live down here Joes on tonight at Brixham and next week in Exeter.

Is Stead still at Notts County?

Somewhere i have a single of Robeson singing Jerusalem and Oh Sinner Man

He was certainly known amongst people of my mothers generation (born 1917) for both his singing and his politics. Even my mother, who was a staunch Conservative, admired him.

My mum used to worship Paul Robeson.

He was indeed a dedicated civil rights activist and made a few enemies on the right wing of American politics.

Black listed by House Un-American Activities Committee like a lot of Civil Rights Activists

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9Qxr1wdxbg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Yes- he was a great man- had been a v good American Football player, studied law, wonderful singer and a respected political activist. In the UK, he was especially respected in South Wales because of his support of Welsh miners.
I have a couple of his albums which I like to listen to occasionally because of his great deep voice. It's got to be said that a few of his songs wouldn't be allowed now because of use of certain race-related words (notwithstanding that he was an ongoing strong activist for civil rights of course).
My favourite is his Lazy Bones version
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIZDErpI9lQ

Paul Robeson changed some of the lyrics in old man river 3 times as he learned more about the way society was being abusivly run by the istablishment in the states and over here.

I also worshiped Paul Robeson - still do.

A great, decent and honourable man who fought for the common man and against oppression of humanity.

What hasn't been mentioned is his film career. I first saw him on-screen in "The Proud Land" (1940). The story of David Goliath, a Black American, who arrives in Wales and wins the respect of the Welsh miners through his singing. He shares the hardships of their lives, and becomes a working-class hero as he helps to better their working conditions and ultimately, during a mining accident, sacrifices his life to save fellow miners.
I left the cinema with a lump in my throat. I was overcome.

He sings "Land of my Fathers" at the following website - sung in 1966 - His voice by this time was not as good as when he sang in the 1940 film.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziJoep1cDlY" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

He also appeared in "Showboat" Where as Joe he sings "Ol' Man River" - This song will never be sung better than this rendition by Paul Robeson.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyJtGNk9iEU" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

In total he appeared in fifteen films.

One of my greatest regrets is that I never got to meet him. He lived in Philadelphia from 1968 until he died in 1976. I also lived in Philadelphia - from 1963 until 1976. I was never aware that he lived close by.

http://joestead.com/Robeson.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Rowls probably reckons he was a fascist.

fatboy47 wrote:Rowls probably reckons he was a fascist.

Probably the most pointless and inappropriately placed post in the history of this board.

A truly great man.

There's a very good one man show entitled Call Mr Robeson that is well worth a watch. It still tours; info at the link below

http://www.tayoalukoandfriends.com/robeson/