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Calypso Rose

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Calypso Rose
Calypso Rose performing in concert
Calypso Rose performing in concert
Background information
Birth nameLinda McArtha Monica Sandy-Lewis
Also known asCalypso Rose
Born (1940-04-27) 27 April 1940 (age 84)
Bethel Village, Tobago
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocalist
Years active1977–present
WebsiteCalypso Rose Tribute Site

Calypso Rose (born 27 April 1940, Bethel Village, Tobago) is a calypsonian. She began writing songs at the age of 15,[1] turned professional in 1964[2] and has written more than 800 songs and recorded more than 20 albums.

Biography

Born Linda McCartha Monica Sandy-Lewis, her father was a leader with the Spiritual Shouter Baptists. Her family was very traditional and opposed her singing in Carnival Tents.[2] She composed her first Calypso in 1955 after seeing a man steal the spectacles off of a lady's face in the Croisée, San Juan. In the song, she advises Tobagonians to stay at home, because Trinidad was no place for them. Originally she used Crusoe Kid as her stage name, the name "Calypso Rose" was given to her by the Spoiler, and tent members Piggy and Spike.[2]

Travelling outside of Trinidad and Tobago for the first time in 1963, Rose covered the islands from Grenada to St. Thomas. She won the Calypso King contest and the Roadmarch in St. Thomas with her first recording, Cooperation. In 1966 she wrote the song "Fire in Me Wire", the first calypso ever sung two years running at the Trinidad carnival, in 1966 and 1967.[3]

In the mid-1970s, as well as dominating the race for the title of "Calypso Queen", a title she won five years running from 1972-76,[2] Rose had major hits with Constable Rose and Do Dem Back which became her first gold disc. She was the first female to win the Trinidad Road March competition in 1977 with her song "Gimme More Tempo". The following year she took the title again with "Come Leh We Jam". That same year, she won the competition, the first time a woman had received the award. The competition's title was changed to Calypso Monarch in her honour.[3]

Rose has lived in New York since 1983. In October 1996, she underwent surgery for breast cancer and in 1998 undertook therapy for a malignancy in her stomach.[4]

Awards and honours

1978: Award for Unprecedented Achievement by a Calypsonian from the Trinidad and Tobago Alliance of the USA.[3][5]

1978: Distinguished Achievement Award for the First Triple Crown Calypso Monarch of the World by The Tobago Benevolent Society.[5]

1979: Award for Magnanimous Contribution to the Culture by the Caribbean Arts and Culture Council.[5]

1982: Rose was named an honorary citizen of Belize in 1982 in recognition of her work to raise the country's international awareness on the cultural front. In 1993, she was awarded the key to the city of St Catharine's, Ontario, by the city's mayor.[6]

1983: Top Female Calypsonian by the Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C.[3][5]

1984: Queen of Soca and Calypso Award by Super Jocks Records.[5]

1985: Best Female Recording Artist Award by C.E.I.[3][5]

1986: Recognition for Achievement in Human Progress from the Concerned Citizens of Liberia Organization.[5]

1988: Gratitude and Commendation for the Development of Arts and Culture in Belize by the National Arts Council of Belize.[5]

1988: Appointment as Foremost Ambassador of Culture by the West Indian Day Association.[5]

1989: Humanitarian Award by Sunshine Music Awards.[5]

1989: Recognition for contribution to the steelpan by the Calypso and Steelband Music Awards.[5]

1989: Best Party Song by the Sunshine Music Awards[5]

1989: Best Female Vocalist by the Sunshine Music Awards.[5]

1990: Nafeita Lifetime Achievement Awards.[5]

1991: Outstanding Female in the Field of Music Award by the National Woman’s Action Committee.[3][5]

1991: Most Outstanding Woman in Trinidad and Tobago by the National Women’s Action Committee.[3][5]

1993: Inducted into the Tobago Walk of Fame as a charter member.[3][5]

1993: Honored by the mayor of St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, with the keys to the City.[5]

1999: Tobago House of Assembly decreed that the new hospital to be built in Tobago would be named the McCartha Lewis Memorial Hospital, in honor of Calypso Rose.[3][5]

1999: International Caribbean Music Award’s Lifetime Achievement Award.[5]

2011: Africa Festival Lifetime Achievement Award[7]

Films

  • 2013 - Calypso Rose: the Lioness of the Jungle
  • 1991 - One Hand Don't Clap
  • 1979 - Bacchanal Time

See also

References

  1. ^ Profile, womad.org; retrieved 26 July 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d Méndez Méndez, Serafín (2003). Notable Caribbeans and Caribbean Americans: a biographical dictionary. Westport (CT): Greenwood Press. ISBN 0313314438.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Thompson, David (2001). Reggae and Caribbean Music: Third Ear: The Essential Listening Companion. Milwaukee (WI): Backbeatbooks. ISBN 0879306556.
  4. ^ Herman Silochan, "The life and challenges of Calypso Rose", 26 October 2011; retrieved from archives 9 November 2014.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Profile, wackradio901fm.com; retrieved 8 November 2014 (archive.org).
  6. ^ Persad, Seeta (July 22, 2009). "Documentary on Calypso Rose to be released". Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
  7. ^ Calypso Rose gets Lifetime Achievement Award in Germany, port-of-spain.diplo.de (in German); retrieved 20 January 2012.
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