I had no idea she was still alive or I'd have looked into trying to meet her! There are several early calypsonians who I am researching and need information on their whereabouts and history such as Wrangler, Wonder, Beaver, Jaguar, Intruder, and Dynamite among many others.
Another calypsonian I have only spotty information on is perhaps the first successful Chinese calypsonian, Chang Kai Chek. He was born in Sparia on March 23, 1934, he started in the calypso field in 1954 and was christened Chang Kai Chek by Atilla the Hun. His first tune was a hit, The Obeah Man. His 1956 selection Naughty Boy was released on a Cook album. He sang in Port of Spain at until 1962 when he returned to compete in the South. He was at OYB from 1959 to 62. In 1960 he featured Four Foolish People and Calypso Animals. In 1961, he sang Mrs Palmer. He appeared in a Grand Ole Mas at the Macqueripe Club in 1962. He was among the 12 finalists in the 1962 Independence competition. In 1965 he featured My Wife, A Tribute to the Nation and Hygenie Teacher. He is not known to have performed after the '60s.
Four Foolish PeopleIs he still alive? How can I reach him or his family?Some funny things does happen in Trinidad
Enough to drive anybody mad.
Some funny things does happen in Trinidad
Enough to drive anybody mad.
An Indian tess give a party
And invite his friends and family
But the guest and them don't fail
To tell him he should ah serve them cocktail.
But the mister say don't make a row
Ah going for it, ah coming just now
He start serving cocktails like he mad
But it was feathers from he fowl cocktail in the yard.
This one happen just the other day
Down way he living in Claxton Bay
It have a woman they call Ma Joe
She husban' give she a radio
Believe me I ain't making fun
She play the thing til the battery done
When the radio cease to play
Hear what the woman jump up and say
The man in the radio must be hungry,
So ah better prepare some food for he
Believe me ah talking the truth
She hand the radio ah big plate of roast breadfruit
Now ah want everybody to understand
This one with a Bajan man
Looking for work without any fear
Down in the oilfields at Point-a-Pierre,
He got a job, yes, friend right away
But have to see the doctor the following day,
After the doctor finish his job,
Boy you go home sugar in your blood.
Well, believe me, I must tell you this,
He didn't know the Doc mean diabetes,
He say well doctor ah think you right
Believe my wife tell me about the sugar last night
This one take place in Port-of-Spain
You know ah laugh, ah near go insane
Please believe Mighty Chang Kai Chek
Ah blind man laugh til he lose his speck
A Chinee man walk in a bakery,
Saying he want a job immediately
They ask him what's his occupation
He told them "I'm an electrician."
"What you could do in a bakery?"
That was the question they put to he
Believe me I ain't making fun
He want a job to put current in the bun.
Ray Funk
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