Lord Melody

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Lord Melody (1926 — 26 September 1988) was a popular calypsonian, best known for singles such as "Boo Boo Man", "Shame & Scandal", "Jonah and the Bake", "Juanita" and "Rastaman Be Careful". Melody's career spanned some forty years, from the early development of popular calypso to his embrace of a reggae influenced sound in the late 1970s.[1]

Contents

[edit] Career

Lord Melody was born Fitzroy Alexander[2] in San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago.[3]

Melody began singing in the calypso tents in the mid 1940s and was one of the leaders of the Young Brigade tent during the 1950s and early 1960s.[2] He also regularly toured the Caribbean. In 1954 he won Trinidad's Calypso King title and, during the latter 1950s, recorded for the American Emory Cook's record label.[2] His self-deprecating song "Mama Look a Boo Boo" became a hit during the 1956-57 American "calypso craze," during which it was recorded by Harry Belafonte, Robert Mitchum and many other singers.[2]

He was one of six calypsonians who were chosen to sing for Princess Margaret at the Governor's House during her visit to Trinidad in 1956; the others were Sir Galba, Mighty Dictator, Mighty Spitfire, Mighty Panther, and Lord Viper.[3]

Melody went on to compose a number of other songs that poked fun at his own appearance, such as "Creature from the Black Lagoon".[2]

He frequently sparred in song with the Mighty Sparrow on this topic. Rivalry between Melody and the Mighty Sparrow was recorded in the calypsos "Ten to One is Murder" and "Sparrow Have a Gun". The humorous rivalry between the two calypsonians was immensely popular with audiences. Another one of Melody's calypsos, "Shame & Scandal" (composed in 1962), became an international hit and was recorded in the U.S., Europe and Australia.[2]

His greatest success came when Harry Belafonte recorded his songs "Mama Look a Boo Boo" and "Juanita".[1] In the late 1960s Melody moved to New York, and he subsequently toured with Belafonte. In the late 1970s, Lord Melody veered towards reggae, recording such tunes as "Rastaman Be Careful" and "Brown Sugar".[1]

Lord Melody died from cancer in September 1988, in Port of Spain.[3]

[edit] Discography

[4]

[edit] Composer credits

[5]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c All Music Guide biography
  2. ^ a b c d e f Calypsoworld.org mini-biography
  3. ^ a b c Bestoftrinidad.org
  4. ^ Calypsoarchives.com
  5. ^ akh.se/artists/ - List of songs composed by Lord Melody
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