Leon Bibb (musician)

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Leon Bibb

Bibb in 1976.
Background information
Born (1922-02-07) 7 February 1922
Origin Louisville, Kentucky
United States
Genres Folk music
Occupations Musician, actor
Instruments Vocals

Leon Bibb (born February 7, 1922) is an American folk singer and actor who grew up in Kentucky, studied voice in New York, and worked on Broadway. His career began when he became a featured soloist of the Louisville Municipal College glee club as a student.[1] He has lived in Vancouver, British Columbia in Canada since 1969.[2]

Bibb was born in Louisville, Kentucky and was one of the performers at the first Newport Folk Festival in 1959. He also had his own NBC television talk show.[2][3][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] In 1963, Bibb traveled to Mississippi to join Dick Gregory and others in the fight against racial segregation in the United States.[6]

Despite that setback, Bibb continued to perform, and around 1963 or '64 he was featured singing on the national TV show, Hootenanny, on The Ed Sullivan Show and performed with Bill Cosby on tours.[7][8] His a cappella vocals blend his classical, spiritual and blues influences.

He is the father of the Helsinki, Finland based acoustic blues singer/songwriter Eric Bibb.[3]

In 2009, he was made a Member of the Order of British Columbia. At the time of receiving this honor, Bibb was still an active performer.[7]

References

  1. ↑ "Compass Turns to Leon Bibb". Ottawa Citizen. 14 August 1965. Retrieved 14 April 2012. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Leon Bibb". The Canadian Encyclopedia of Music. Retrieved 14 April 2012. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Leon Bibb Rolls On". Edmonton Journal. 29 September 2007. Retrieved 14 April 2012. 
  4. ↑ Wilson, Earl (11 September 1967). "Buying Favorite Barber Own Shop Is a Mistake". St. Joseph Gazette. Retrieved 14 April 2012. 
  5. ↑ "Eric Bibb Lives His Legacy". The Vancouver Province. 13 April 2007. Retrieved 14 April 2011. 
  6. ↑ "Leon Bibb Joins Stars on 'Mississippi Front'". Washington Afro-American. 23 April 1963. Retrieved 14 April 2012. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Order of British Columbia Members". Order of British Columbia. 2009. Retrieved 14 April 2012. 
  8. ↑ "Ad for Bill Cosby and Leon Bibb appearance". The Sun. 1 August 1968. Retrieved 14 April 2012. 

External links

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