Calypso History Month, October, is coming to an end, and there has been a noticeable absence of calypso history printed in the media, in this here "Land of Calypso." Many individuals have contributed to the art form that is often referred to as the voice of the people.
Lest we forget, let us recognise and celebrate the names of the pioneering calypsonians who have contributed to nation-building through their chosen art form. Since the first singing in English of a calypso by Norman Le Blanc at the turn of the last century, and the first English recording of a calypso in 1914 by calypsonian Iron Duke (Julian Whiterose) with "Iron Duke in the Land," the following are the pioneers who have paved the way for others to follow:
The early pioneers, up to the
mid-1950s:
Atilla the Hun (Raymond Quevedo/1892-1962); Executor (Phillip Garcia/1880-1952); Houdini (Wilmoth Hendricks/1885-1973); Railway Douglas (Walter "Chieftain" Douglas/1895-1971) who formed the first calypso tent in 1921 called the Railway Douglas Tent; Lord Caresser (Rufus Callender/1910-1976); Growler (Errol Duke/singer in the 1930s and 40s); Roaring Lion (Raphael de Leon/1908-1999); Duke of Iron (Cecil Anderson/1906-1968); Lord Invader (Rupert Grant/1914-1961); King Radio (Norman Spann/started singing in the early 1930s); Growling Tiger (Neville Marcano/1916-1993); Lady Trinidad (Thelma Lane/1914-1999), the first female calypsonian to sing in a tent and the first to record a calypso; Spoiler (Theophilus Phillip/1926-1960); Lord Pretender (Aldric Farrell/1917-2002); Lord Kitchener (Aldwyn Roberts/1922-2000).
Other notable calypsonians of the era: Cristo/Christopher Laidlow, Viper/Roderick Lewis, Macbeth the Great/Patrick McDonald, Gorilla/Charles Grant, Destroyer/Donald Glasgow, Ziegfield/Percy Simon, Killer/Cephas Alexander, Sir Galba/George McSween, Small Island Pride/Theo Woods, Gibraltar/Sidney Benjamin, Dictator/Kenny St. Bernard, Spitfire/Carlton Gumbs.
Among the later giants of calypso (in the 1950s and 60s):
Lord Kitchener (Aldwyn Roberts/1922-2000) who transcended the 40s and earlier 50s; Mighty Terror (Fitzgerald Henry/1921-2007); Lord Melody (Fitzroy Alexander/1926-1988); Mighty Sparrow (Slinger Francisco/1935- ); Lord Blakie (Carlton Joseph/1932-2005); Mighty Bomber (Clifton Ryan/1928- ); Lord Nelson (Robert Nelson/1930- ).
Other pioneers:
Lord Shorty/Ras Shorty I (Garfield Blackman/1941-2000), soca pioneer; Sundar Popo (1943-2000), chutney/chutney soca pioneer; Crazy (Edwin Ayoung/1944- ), parang soca pioneer.
Sources of Information: Ron Emrit's www.bestoftrinidad.com/calypso.html; George Maharaj's 2 books The Roots of Calypso, Vols. 1& 2; www.safaripublications.com/firstcitizenstt/heroesprofilestt/
Nasser Khan,
Diego Martin
