Robert McFerrin

There are two American singers, father and son, named 'Robert McFerrin'. This article discusses Robert McFerrin, Sr. For Robert "Bobby" McFerrin, Jr., see Bobby McFerrin.

Robert Keith McFerrin Sr. (March 19, 1921 – November 24, 2006) was an American baritone. He was the first African American to be given a contract with the Metropolitan Opera and the first African American male to sing on the stage of The Met. (Marian Anderson was the first African American to actually sing on the Met's stage, but McFerrin had been awarded a contract first.)

McFerrin was aslo the first African American to sing at a title role at the Met, and the first to sing at both the Metropolitan Opera and the New York City Opera. Later, he sang the lead for the 1959 film Porgy and Bess (film), dubbed for Sydney Poitier.

Despite his voice and musical accomplishments, McFerrin did not achieve the lasting fame of other opera singers.

Robert McFerrin was the father of Grammy-award winning singer Bobby McFerrin.