By Helen Grenade
December 18, 2020
Legendary singer and performer, and one of the most important people in Calypso music, Dr Slinger Francisco, the Mighty Sparrow, fondly known as “The Birdie,” whose songs and music include, Jean and Dinah, Saltfish, Dan is the man in the van, the both ah them, Melda o, Sa sa yea, Congo man, Mister Walker, No Doctor no, Give the youngsters a chance and Only a fool breaks his own heart- a song that earned him a gold disc in the Netherlands- made him the most famous star in the Caribbean, African and indeed the world, and whose memorable stage performances made him a legend who brought classical Calypso stage technique to all his fans worldwide, is a true visionary, a beautiful, talented soul, who is loved and appreciated by everyone.
Doctor Slinger Francisco was born July 9, 1935, in Grand Roy, St John’s, Grenada. He moved to Trinidad with his mother, after his father relocated there in 1937, he was 18 months old. Sparrow was raised in Port of Spain and started singing in 1948 to this present day.
His first performance as a carnival singer occurred in 1954 with the song the “Parrot and the Monkey.” He has a string of credits to his name. In West Africa, Nigeria, he was honoured with the honourary Yoruba title, Chief Omo Wale of Ikoyi. In 2014, he was voted Express Individual of the year by the Trinidad Express. He visited Nigeria during the 1970s; he also recorded songs in Yoruba, Creole, French, Spanish and even Dutch.
He is regarded as the greatest exponent ever of the Calypso Art form, time and again he delivered the magic of the music. When listening to the Mighty Sparrow’s early songs, you get an intensely clear picture of what life in the Caribbean was like back then.
The Mighty Sparrow has a legacy of extraordinary performances in all-time Calypso music. Yet that alone doesn’t sufficiently account for why the icon, will endure forever. Dr Slinger Francisco, the Mighty Sparrow, isn’t just an exemplary singer, songwriter, musician, vocalist, and guitarist. He transcended such musical characterization. He is a one-of-a-kind presence that cannot ever be replaced.
Who else could have given us songs that are so entertaining, delightful, true, and so inspiring? Simultaneously earnest and unsettling, singing about entering a real-world of reality. It’s an achievement only possible from an entertainer with a pre-natural understanding of how he connects with his audience by tapping into the magic of his songs. One day he will leave us his greatest gifts, his music.
He is a legend, a big deal, a world-class trophy. If you live in a Caribbean family, you’d know about the Mighty Sparrow. He’s a staple, one of the greatest musical legends, a phenomenal composer, whose energetic style spurred many imitators among Caribbean singers. Millions of children grew up listening to the Mighty Sparrow, part of a wave of Grenadians and Caribbean male Calypso artists, whose music, tugged at the heartstrings of girls and women. The Mighty Sparrow is a very handsome and flamboyant man with a great voice and a cult following. We all grew up with his music; the Mighty Sparrow is an icon, a world-class trophy. He’s simply the best.
Some of the greatest artists have left us, they have gone ahead of us, but their music and memories will live on forever. The Mighty Sparrow could dance, he could gyrate, he could whine and perform, one really enjoys his lyrics. Sparrow is unique; he is the most creative and intelligent Calypsonian of his era. For Grenadians, Trinidadians, North Americans, Africans, South Americans, Europeans, he represents a lot of pride, a man of great talent. The Mighty Sparrow is more than one of the first male Calypsonians legendary stars. He is an amazing inspiration to all future men who have performed on stages and concert halls of every size and styles and shapes headlining numerous shows worldwide. Sparrow inspired Jamaican International legendary star, Bob Marley, who after listening to Sparrow’s Slave song, knew the type of music that he wanted to create.
Let’s not forget, first and foremost, Sparrow indelible voice since he started singing from 1949 to present. He has recorded many hit tunes, ranging from love songs, gospel, hypa hybrid, jazz-inspired haunting, ballads and Calypso. He has continued to turn out hits even incorporating religious themes in his music. His rich tone, emotionally expressive and bold voice produced memorable songs such as Monica Dou Dou, Village Ram, Like you feeling hot or what, Teresa, which he rocked. This legendary singer/performer can never be replaced.
The Mighty Sparrow will live on, a legend who has impacted our lives to some degree. A man who is part of our culture. Even in the iconoclastic realm of Calypso music stars, the Mighty Sparrow is one of a kind. He is a hit-maker, an inarguably one of the purest and talented Calypso stars of all time. He is famous and unique, he inspires and encourages, when you listen to the Mighty Sparrow, you feel something magical, the pure pleasure of his voice.
He has written and still writes on so many different topics, different things, partying, politics, death, race, love, peace, a gifted phrasemaker. The Mighty Sparrow is one of the world’s greatest Caribbean songbooks. The range of his talents is that immense. He makes so much music over so long, in so many different styles.
The ability to carry a tune is no small matter, for us, the Might Sparrow is a superb singer by any measure we could ever care about. Expressivity, surprise, heart and soul, interpretive wit. There are many others like him, whose beauty of their voices touches us in places that are as personal as the place from which that voice has issued forth. Falling in love with singers like the Mighty Sparrow, Chalkdust, Kitchener, Black Stalin, Baron, Calypso Rose, Sugar Aloes, Cro Cro, Singing Sandra, Duke, Sour Serpent, Black Wizard, Ajamu, Tangler, African teller, Praying Mantis, Spoiler, Flyin’ Turkey, Lord Invader, Spoiler, Lord melody, Shadow, Arrow, Singing Francine, Duke, Lord Nelson, David rudder, Lord Blackie, Lord Brynner, Beckett, Crazy, Gypsy, Denise Belfon, Denise Plummer, King Short shirt, Lord beginner, Lord invader, Lord pretender, Lord Nelson, Machel Montano, Gabby, Red Plastic Bag, roaring Lion, Superblue, Rikki Jai, Mighty Pelay, Mighty Terror, Ronnie Butler, Peanuts Taylor, King Eric Gibson, Funky D, De Educator and so many countless others, is like being a teenager every time it happens.
The Mighty Sparrow’s voice is a combination of sheer vulnerability and power; it gives us something to aspire and leaves us feeling more courageous. His voice is an irresistible force that combines a love of Caribbean Calypso and Soca music with an undeniable depth of feeling. His charisma and success in the music field helped him shape and define the style of modern Calypso music. Sparrow’s music and his style became the foundation on which many future Calypso singers built. The Mighty Sparrow established himself as the ultimate brand in Calypso music. He transcended Calypso and Soca music with an extraordinarily appealing personality and genuineness that connects with millions, truly making him a champion and lover of his fans and all people. Sparrow’s magnetic humble personality captivates and charms fans in the music world. He is one of the early few who elevated Calypso music exponentially by lifting it to newfound popularity. Sparrow raised it to a new level and forever changed it. Very few have ever had a more significant impact on those who sing or listen to music. He is an exceptional man driven with pride, love, passion, and determination for the human dignity of every person.
We, as a Grenadian people, express our admiration, love and appreciation for the genius of a man, the invincible Mighty Sparrow. His spirit of unwavering resistance will continue to live on in our hearts and minds of every person, he has touched forever, and all people.
As a Grenadian, Trinidadian, Caribbean, African-American legend, Sparrow will continue to be the dynamic force of our history. He is also the source of inspiration for our young people who one day want to follow in his footsteps. Sparrow was born with a special instrument, his voice, a gifted vocalist who entertains audiences across all musical genres with his powerful lyrics. He has helped to define generations of musicians through his songs. Sparrow is an icon who has shaped and is still shaping the Calypso and Soca culture with his larger than life voice. He’s also a living legend who has struck a chord in this world’s musical history.
He has collaborated with Calypso Rose and Machel Montano and is widely regarded as one of the most influential Calypsonians in the history of popular Calypso music and one of the most celebrated musicians of the 21st century. He believes that songs don’t lie. Music speaks and tells the truth, and you can bring the necessary changes with his music.
Sparrow has that inner compulsion to sing and play and share his music. Music is in his soul, and he can’t stop, he will not be stopped, it’s a given.
The Mighty Sparrow has to continually better his best. The legend is a disciplined powerhouse who maintains confidence in his abilities. His place is virtually assured. Sparrow is the most gifted, the most exceptionally talented artists of all times. The Mighty Sparrow has greatly influenced Caribbean Culture during this time. Respect for his vibrant wit, varied interests and keen intelligence has given him an excellent reputation, during his lifetime.
The Mighty Sparrow takes the cake as the most famous Calypsonian king in the world. The best of the best of his lifetime, an entertainer with the best image, who has revolutionized the Calypso and Soca music atmosphere. This is the Mighty Sparrow’s legacy. His groundbreaking studio recordings techniques and experimentation are the core of who he is. He had laid the foundation for the years of Calypso and Soca music that has followed, leaving no area of music untouched by his influence. He belongs in a category entirely on his own, by himself. The Mighty Sparrow is the most popular and world-famous, one of the greatest entertainers of all time. He is a superb composer, a fascinating and awe-inspiring artist. He’s also a fantastic and humble humanitarian that has made him unique.
Wherever you go, the Mighty Sparrow remains at the top. The fact remains, the world-renowned King of all Kings of Calypso, the Mighty Sparrow is the Calypso King of the world. His voice, his charm, his charisma, his remarkable ability to connect with his audiences, he inspired and continues to inspire countless musicians. Today, Sparrow is acknowledged for his greatness,
Sparrow is the real deal; he can hold audiences in the palm of his hands. Before Sparrow, there was Lord Kitchener, Lord Melody, Lord Invader, Spoiler and many more great artists, but Sparrow rocks. The man is an icon who has had such a memorable impact on Calypso music in more ways than one, and he continues to raise the bar with everything he does. He has continually pushed the envelope with his messages and his music. He has accomplished so many milestones throughout his career. His music has served as an inspiration to many. Sparrow is one of the very first Calypso artists to gain an international reputation solely based on his Calypso music. Rivalling Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada and other Caribbean nations owe its outstanding positions in music to the excessive number of talented musicians to which these countries gave birth to.
He is the universally acknowledged Master and King of Calypso music. The Mighty Sparrow’s career developed at the best possible time for taking maximum advantage of the new depths and richness, the new musical fluency, which other Calypsonians had created in Trinidad.
The Mighty Sparrow has brought all the dramatic flexibility so vital to the art of musical characterization, which was brought to perfection. Sparrow is a musical personality of national and international renown. His influence both upon the cultural milieu of his day and upon his younger Caribbean contemporaries can hardly be overstated. The Birdie is the most outstanding figure in the world of Calypso and the most famous Calypsonian of all times.
He has used his voice, not only to make music, but he has used his most important instrument, his voice to prompt social change worldwide, whenever he entertains audiences. The Mighty Sparrow has helped to define generations through his songs, with his larger than life – voice. He is as popular today as the day he started singing and performing in 1948. This incredible singer is famous for his live concerts, having performed for Queens, Kings, and hundreds of concerts and shows worldwide.
His performances are marked by his flamboyant personality onstage and his vocal range. Having always loved Calypso music, some of his earliest idols were Lord Kitchener, Lord Melody, Lord Invader, Spoiler, Valentino, to name a few. The Mighty Sparrow is also a brilliant and fearless pianist, a guitarist and Avant-garde composer whose adventures are fascinating and as an artist who overtly and covertly changed the world.
The indomitable Calypsonian has in one way or another influenced today’s genre of Calypso music. All of the music that today spawns from them owes much of their progression and style to Calypso music.
The legendary figure has changed music history, singing Calypso. His songs have been lingering long enough that they feel like an integral part of people’s lives. The Mighty Sparrow knows what his fans want, and he delivers it. His music is ceaselessly entertaining.
The greatest showman on earth, the beauty of his voice touches us in places that are personal as the place from which his voice was issued. Pairing with Calypsonians like Calypso Rose defined a new era for Calypso and Soca. Matching new-jack attitude with old school emotion and songcraft, he’s the true heir to the Calypso throne.
Sparrow continues to be vocal, the strongest he’s ever been. He has defined both the sound and style of Calypso music; you can’t separate Calypso from the Mighty Sparrow. You need a personality to be a Calypsonian; Sparrow has it in spades. His voice is a combination of sheer vulnerability, power and clarity and its ridiculously sexy.
He has mentored and influenced a vast generation of younger male singers, including Machel Montano. To Sparrow’s fans, he is unclassifiable unique, both in his sound and his style. He will forever remain part and parcel of our lives. Sparrow is indeed the undisputable Calypso King of the world.
Calypso King Monarch titles:
Year Song
1956 Yankee Gone
1960 Ten To One Is Murder
1962 Sparrow Come Back Home
1963 Dan Is The Man (In The Van)
1972 Drunk And Disorderly
1973 School Days
1974 We Pass That Stage
1992 Both Ah Them
Major awards and honours:
1987 Honorary Doctor Of Letters (D Litt)
1993 Charconia Gold Medal
2013 Lifetime achievement award by the Trinidad and Tobago government
2015 Officer of the most excellent order of the British Empire (OBE)
Carnival Road March titles:
Year Song
1956 Yankee Gone
1958 P A Y E
1960 Mae Mae
1961 Royal Jail
1966 Melda O (Obeah Wedding}
1969 Sa Sa Yea
1972 Drunk And Disorderly
1984 Doh Back Back
Some of his record’s labels include:
Balisier, RCA, National Recording, Artists, Warner Bros, Charlie’s, B’s, Ice
Dr Slinger Francisco ORTT, CMT, OBE has won Trinidad’s Carnival Road March 8 times, and he has also won the Calypso King of Kings Title twice.
He is the most excellent titan of all time, a superb lyricist of all genres. His new release is called Fyaah and Fury in over a decade, this political commentator who addresses current topics and situations was recently called to England to perform at the London Jazz Festival’s Windrush Celebration. Anglo-Trinidadian poet and teacher Anthony Joseph created the Festival.
