Fifty years ago, Raffi was a struggling folk singer driving across Toronto, lugging boxes containing his debut children’s album, “Singable Songs for the Very Young,” hoping to convince stores to sell the record.
The album was a word-of-mouth hit and, coupled with 1980’s “Baby Beluga,” transformed the Egypt-born singer of Armenian descent into one of North America's most famous children's musicians. Raffi's fun and heartwarming songs, including “Down By the Bay” and “Shake My Sillies Out,” remain a mainstay for parents and teachers of young children, even as the way kids consume music has changed significantly.
