Robert McFerrin, 85; Met’s first male black soloist

Robert McFerrin Sr., the first black man to sing solo at the New York Metropolitan Opera and the father of Grammy-winning conductor-vocalist Bobby McFerrin, has died. He was 85.

He died of a heart attack Friday at a suburban St. Louis hospital, the funeral home handling his services confirmed Monday.

In 1953, McFerrin won the Metropolitan Opera national auditions.

His 1955 debut with the Met as Amonasro in “Aida” made him the first black male member of the company. He performed in 10 operas over three seasons, including the title role in “Rigoletto.”

He appeared three weeks after contralto Marian Anderson made her historic debut Jan. 7, 1955, as the first black to sing a principal role at the Met.

McFerrin also is known for providing the vocals for Sidney Poitier in the 1959 movie “Porgy and Bess.”

His son, Bobby, is best-known for the eclectic 1980s hit “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” McFerrin’s daughter, Brenda, also is a recording artist, and he sang with both children.

In 1993, father and son appeared with the St. Louis Symphony -- McFerrin as soloist, his son as guest conductor.

“His work influenced everything I do musically,” Bobby McFerrin told the Associated Press in 2003. “When I direct a choir, I go for his sound. His musical influence was absolutely profound. I cannot do anything without me hearing his voice.”

Robert McFerrin was born March 19, 1921, in Marianna, Ark., one of eight children of a strict Baptist minister who forbade his son to sing anything but gospel music. That changed when McFerrin moved to St. Louis in 1936 and a music teacher discovered and encouraged his talent.

In the late 1940s and early ‘50s, McFerrin sang on Broadway and performed with the National Negro Opera Company and New York City Opera Company.

“When I was little, he was just Dad,” the younger McFerrin said in 2003. “We grew up with opera; we had singers in the house all the time. It was commonplace.”

The elder McFerrin lived in Los Angeles for a time, but moved back to St. Louis in 1973. He suffered a stroke in 1989, but his singing voice remained with him and he continued to perform for many years afterward.

By the time he was honored in June 2003 by Opera America, doctors suspected that he had Alzheimer’s disease.

Charles MacKay, general director of Opera Theatre of St. Louis, described McFerrin’s baritone voice as “beautiful, virile, strong and sensitive.”

“He sang with such joy and commitment,” MacKay said in 2003. “It reminds me of the profound pleasure of a beautifully trained singing voice.”

McFerrin and his first wife divorced. He married his second wife, Athena, in 1994. In addition to his wife and children, survivors include a sister and three grandchildren.