Saturday, July 11, 2026

Irving Burgie, Author of Harry Belafonte’s “Day O,” Father of Modern Calypso Music, Dies at Age 95

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I had the pleasure of meeting and talking with Irving Burgie twice this year. He died today at age 95.

“Day O,” the song he wrote and made popular by Harry Belafonte, is featured in a memorable scene in “Beetlejuice” on Broadway. Irving came to the 1st performance, and to the opening night. He loved the show, and lapped up the kudos from well wishers. I was also on the nominating committee of the Songwriters Hall of Fame when he was inducted several years ago, and he remembered me from then, too.

What a life! And what legacy! Day O must be responsible for a long life. Belafonte, a worldwide treasure, is 92 himself!

Rest in peace, Irving! Daylight come and it’s time to go home indeed.

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Roger Friedman
Roger Friedman
Roger Friedman is the founder and editor-in-chief of Showbiz411. He wrote the FOX411 column on FoxNews.com from 1999 to 2009, where he covered Michael Jackson, and previously wrote the "Intelligencer" column at New York magazine in the mid-1990s, where he covered the O.J. Simpson trial. He also edited Fame magazine. His bylines have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the New York Daily News, the New York Post, Vogue, Details, and the Miami Herald. He is a voting member of the Critics Choice Awards (Film and Television branches), and his movie reviews are tracked by Rotten Tomatoes. With D.A. Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus, he co-produced the 2002 documentary "Only the Strong Survive," which screened at Directors' Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival.

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