St. George’s, Grenada – Friday June 17th, 2022. Spicemas Corporation (SMC) designates Saturday, 9th of July in the cultural calendar as “The Mighty Sparrow Day” in Grenada
Dr Slinger Francisco, The Mighty Sparrow will be celebrated on his 87th Birthday with virtual and local events to commemorate this important milestone
SMC recognizes The Mighty Sparrow’s impressive discography and unsurpassed contribution to the growth and development of calypso in the Caribbean region and worldwide. The undisputed Calypso King of the World was instrumental in laying the foundation on which the current calypso and soca platform is built.
The Mighty Sparrow reigns supreme in the calypso kingdom and it is only fitting that we honour the life and legacy of this great Grenadian while he is still with us— contributing to the calypso art form. For more than seventy years he has given us the very best of what calypso has to offer.
Born in the village of Grand Roy in the parish of St John on 9 of July 1935, the Mighty Sparrow migrated to Trinidad and Tobago at a tender age, making his mark there as a talented vocalist, lyricist, producer and entertainer.
Throughout his professional career, the Calypso King of the World wooed audiences from Lavantille to London with hits such as: Yankee Gone, SA SA Yea and Drunk and Disorderly. The Mighty Sparrow won the Calypso Monarch and Carnival Road March of Trinidad and Tobago eight times, and in 1987 was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters from the University of the West Indies. In 2015, he received the Order of the British Empire (OBE) and is a recipient of Trinidad and Tobago’s highest honour—the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
“The Mighty Sparrow is a legend, an icon and Caribbean Hero” says Spicemas Chairperson, Ambassador Arley Gill, “and his many contributions to the calypso fraternity, West Indian civilization and to world culture is worthy of our highest consideration. As a matter of fact, his life and legacy are worthy of regional and global celebration.” Ambassador Gill continues, “I was born and raised in the parish of St John, so, I am beyond pleased and extremely proud to have the honour and privilege to be part of the staging of the inaugural Mighty Sparrow Day here in Grenada.”Spicemas Corporation will commemorate Mighty Sparrow’s birthday by hosting a series of cultural and educational activities that will end with a celebration in the village of Grand Roy in the parish of St John on Saturday, July 9th.
Spicemas Corporation sees this designation— 9 of July as The Mighty Sparrow Day as an important first step in recognizing the life and legacy of all of our national heroes, and we hope that this small act of acknowledgment and appreciation of The Mighty Sparrow’s lifetime contribution to calypso music inspires other artistes and every Grenadian to dream big, aim high and work hard to achieve their goals and ambitions.
SMC will share a schedule of activities in the coming weeks.
Video encl: Sparrow captured at his home in New York on Sunday June 12th, 2022, endorsing the initiative by SMC.
