(AURN News) — Mighty Sparrow, the Trinidadian singer, songwriter and guitarist known as the “king of calypso,” died Sunday at a hospital in Queens, The New York Times reported. He was 91.
Born Slinger Francisco in Grenada in 1935, Sparrow moved to Trinidad with his family as a toddler in 1937 and began his career in the 1950s.
As his career grew, Sparrow became internationally known for his powerful voice, energetic performances, sharp wit and politically charged lyrics.
At home, his success was just as significant: Sparrow won Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival Road March competition eight times and was also named Calypso Monarch eight times.
Beyond the competition stage, his music addressed colonialism, politics, love, sex and the struggles of Caribbean people, while blending traditional calypso with jazz, swing, bebop, reggae and soca.
His influence also reached prominent figures beyond the Caribbean. His admirers included Bob Dylan and former Secretary of State Colin Powell, and he performed at a Yankee Stadium rally for Nelson Mandela in 1990.
Even as his fame spread, Sparrow performed around the world for decades and remained deeply connected to Trinidad throughout his life.
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