Shadow, a class act

THE EDITOR: I can remember when Winston Bailey, “The Mighty Shadow”, came on the scene in the seventies; he brought something different to the calypso world. With his own style of dancing, attire, a voice never heard before and the way he delivered and sang was very unique and caught the attention of thousands in Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean in general.

Born in Trinidad, he spent most of his childhood in Tobago where his life became so often his message. Having an appetite for singing, it was not long before he came into focus. I am sure many can recall that song that took us by storm “Bassman”. It was the platform that set him on his way in a career in calypso that stretched for decades.

With many powerful songs such as "whop cocoyea", "the stranger", "domestic violence", "everybody is somebody", the one Shadow song that stands out in my mind is “Poverty is Hell”. In this song and in his own unique style, he describes what poor people have to go through on a daily basis.

Road march winner in 1974 and 2001, calypso crown in 2000 and in 2003, a Humming Bird awardee, are but a few of his achievements. Over his career, he maintained his own style and did not allow himself to be influenced by modernism. My condolences to his family, friends, colleagues in the calypso world and all those who were closely connected to him. May God grand you strength in this hour of your grief. Rest in peace, Winston Bailey, “The Mighty Shadow.”

ARNOLD GOPEESINGH, San Juan