The collapse of the Grenada Revolution in October of 1983 meant that the Flying Turkey who was serving in the People’s Revolutionary Army was once again private citizen Cecil Belfon and available to partake in the local Calypso competitions. His return was majestic and like Timpo in 1981, Turkey won both the Road March and Calypso titles in 1984! Curious Children and Byron were his two renditions with Byron the tune of choice for the road. The presentation of that song, with popular Master of Ceremonies Senator running through the stands of the old Queens Park mimicking a “madman” all but guaranteed that the Flying Turkey was about to secure his fourth consecutive title – he won in 1976, 1977, 1978, did not compete thereafter and won in 1984 his first year back. Turkey’s win also shifted the momentum from what was shaping up to be full dominance by Calypso Tents from outside of St. George. Kalypso Kastle from St. Andrew and Black Roots from St. Patrick being able to brag of the winners of the three previous years. Flying Turkey belonged to the WeTent based in St. Paul’s. It was a tent he co-founded after winning the calypso monarch for the first time in 1976. He was previously a member of the Norman DeSouza- managed Southeast Brigades.
The upstart We Tent featured the likes of Lady Success, Defender, Bush Tea and Chain.
After his win in 1984 Flying Turkey felt he had nothing to prove in calypso and so he retired. He would later return in 1992 (more on that later). The We Tent also folded in 1984 following Turkey’s retirement, leading to the formation of another calypso tent in the Laborie/St. Pauls area, Culture Rise. This tent featured the likes of Little Reds, Soca Boca and Smokey.
The winning traditions of the constituency of St. George South East continued with Smokey earning the calypso monarch titles in 1985 and 1986. Smokey’s first title featured performances of song entitled Love and a seminal rendition – Herbie. The song focused on the governance challenges facing then Prime Minister Herbert Blaize. As with all great calypsos Herbie provides an accurate historical context through the unique story-telling skills of the Calypsonian.
Smokey’s second calypso crown, in 1986, with the entries, Make Me Wonder and Save The Youth again were topical and timely renditions. Even with professional music duties on cruise ships Smokey maintained his connectivity to what was taking place at home thus enabling him to be a staple in the calypso finals at Queens Park throughout the 80’s and into the 1990’s.
While Smokey’s two-year streak was taking place another significant streak of wins, within the same timeframe was happening. A lanky teenager from St. Patrick emerged in 1985 to win both the Junior Calypso Monarch and the Road March. The exact same feat was repeated in 1986.
Elimus ‘Inspector’ Gilbert won his first National titles at age fourteen and immediately endeared himself on a population that embraced his awkwardness and his captivating stage presence. Dance became an immediate hit and was a unanimous winner of the coveted road march title.
In 1986 Inspector was even more dominant with No Kicks For ’86, a song that was banned from radio air-play and relying on DJs rewinding cassettes each time the song ended, No Kicks still proved impossible to beat as loyal and dedicated fans waited patiently behind music trucks for the rewind process to be complete and the song to begin all over again.
Following the exploits of Smokey and the Inspector in 1985 and 1986 another streak of wins began in 1987 with Edson ‘Ajamu’ Mitchell winning his first calypso crown. His renditions in that year included We Shouldn’t Worry, and his second winning composition introduced Grenada to the “Calypso Warrior”. Ajamu repeated in 1987 with anthemic My Grenada and Heat.
For the next decade or so Grenada and Grenadians enjoyed the greatest calypso rivalry since Independence and the phrase, Good Night Queens Park would become cemented in Grenadian vernacular forever.
Part 3 delves deeper into those historic rivalries.
Pictured below – the old Queens Park
(picture sourced from RealFM’s Facebook page)
