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“I pray every day and night,” said the man who is steadfast in his belief that laughter is good for the soul and being able to make people laugh and make their day lighter and brighter is a gift from God.
Known globally in the entertainment world as Bill Trotman, Paul “Bill” Trotman remains a highly respected comedian, MC, folk dancer and mas designer, who’s etched in the minds of calypso lovers for his 1979 mega calypso hit Back to School.
He’s also considered a patriot and Carnival icon in the most literal sense, who, apart from dance, mas and entertainment, has contributed significantly to the visual arts reservoir.
On January 29, Trotman turned 92, exuding a spirit like that of a 29-year-old, and, despite being wheelchair-bound, is up and about, sharing memories with loved ones and friends near and far, largely through the use of social media or by making calls to reconnect.
In May, Trotman sent a message for distinguished cultural promoter, calypso and soca industry manager and producer Errol Peru to visit him.
Said Peru—who has been close to Trotman since his entrance into the industry—“Uncle Bill sent me a message. ‘I’m 92, and I sincerely hope that you will make me happy and pay me a visit soon.’ I told him I will.”
On May 17, Peru fulfilled his promise, and along with veteran calypsonian and social media content creator Crazy (Edwin Ayoung)—another of Trotman’s lifelong friends—they both visited Trotman at his Morvant residence.
The visit started in Trotman’s bedroom, described by Crazy as a spiritual place of art, as he scanned art-filled walls and works laid across a bed. “I’m feeling a spiritual vibes,” exclaimed an excited Crazy.
Surrounded by Trotman’s art, the two shared precious moments with Trotman, with Peru extending deep and meaningful words of historical value while touching Trotman’s shoulders, their eyes locked on each other.
“Uncle Bill, I kept my promise,” said Peru. “I came and looked for you, and I brought Crazy with me. I just want to say that you have contributed significantly to the development of T&T and, by extension the world in your field, and we’re blessed to have you here with us still at 92. We have to pay more attention to people like you who have contributed to us and contributed to the country to put us on the international map.”
Trotman listened intently, recollecting some experiences and occasionally confirming with Crazy.
In appreciation, Trotman thanked Peru: “I thank you for keeping your promise.”
Then came Crazy’s time with Trotman.
Caressing Trotman, Crazy first calculated the number of years of friendship between Peru, himself and Trotman—249, but Trotman was a bit puzzled. Crazy clarified: “Bill, you are 92, I am 82, and Errol is 75, so that is 249 years of true friendship.”
While Crazy was showering Trotman with praise for being the No. 1 MC ever, a hysterically laughing Trotman was reflecting on a memory when both of them were at San Juan market. He then challenged Crazy’s memory of his (Crazy’s) first time singing calypso.
Crazy recalled having started to sing calypso in 1971 with Baron (Timothy Watkins), when Baron sang He Lick She. Trotman then highly commended Crazy, saying that he sang the best Parang-Kaiso.
Crazy also shared with Trotman that both Tommy Joseph and Sprangalang learned from him (Trotman).
The visitors eventually made their exit after thanking Trotman for sharing great memories and promising to return.
While Crazy was abroad, Peru said the mission of bringing joy to ailing cultural icons continued.
Peru said that on June 23, he visited his beloved brother and namesake, ace trumpeter Errol Ince, 87, who cried out to be respected. He said Ince, now intravenously assisted, is no longer on the musical circuit owing to his failing health and is in bed.
Of Ince, Peru stated that he was a writer, musician, composer, arranger, band leader and everything else in the music industry. Among the hundreds of songs he has written are Sweet T&T for Natasha Wilson, and he co-wrote Sweet Soca Man with Baron. He has also performed on many calypso and soca recordings, and abroad with Lionel Hampton, Tommy Dorsey, and accompanied Frank Sinatra, Shirley Bassey, Tom Jones and Little Richard, among others.
Peru was happy to reveal that despite Ince’s worsening condition, he is very collected and cheerful, but sadly shared pockets of unhappiness and stress. “I’m still awaiting my old-age pension cheques, which I applied for. I no longer have the energy to keep calling, so I’m appealing to the Government to assist me by giving me what’s owed to me.”
Peru apprised, “Errol would have accompanied most of the calypsonians live on stage for decades, so I am appealing to Tuco also to step up and give him his flowers while he is still with us.”
