Hayes, Roland (1887-1976), was a famous African American lyric tenor. His song recitals gained him an international reputation. However, racial barriers excluded him from the opera career for which he would have been well suited. Hayes was born on June 3, 1887, in Curryville, Georgia, and attended Fisk University. He gave his first concert in 1916 and later appeared with leading orchestras in Europe and America. Hayes won the 1924 Spingarn Medal (see Spingarn Medal ). He died on Dec. 31, 1976.
