{"id":11334,"date":"2023-03-14T14:48:18","date_gmt":"2023-03-14T18:48:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/drealfmgrenada.com\/?p=11334"},"modified":"2023-03-14T14:48:45","modified_gmt":"2023-03-14T18:48:45","slug":"good-night-queens-park-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/drealfmgrenada.com\/index.php\/2023\/03\/14\/good-night-queens-park-part-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Dexter Mitchell-Good Night Queens Park Part 2"},"content":{"rendered":"

The collapse of the Grenada Revolution in October of 1983 meant that the Flying Turkey who was serving in the People\u2019s 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!\u00a0Curious Children and Byron<\/em>\u00a0were his two renditions with\u00a0Byron<\/em>\u00a0the 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 \u201cmadman\u201d all but guaranteed that the Flying Turkey was about to secure his fourth consecutive title \u2013 he won in 1976, 1977, 1978, did not compete thereafter and won in 1984 his first year back. Turkey\u2019s 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\u2019s. 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.<\/p>\n

The upstart We Tent featured the likes of Lady Success, Defender, Bush Tea and Chain.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

The winning traditions of the constituency of St. George South East continued with Smokey earning the calypso monarch titles in 1985 and 1986. Smokey\u2019s first title featured performances of song entitled\u00a0Love<\/em>\u00a0and a seminal rendition \u2013 \u00a0Herbie.\u00a0<\/em>The song focused on the governance challenges facing then Prime Minister Herbert Blaize. As with all great calypsos\u00a0Herbie\u00a0<\/em>provides an accurate historical context through the unique story-telling skills of the Calypsonian.<\/p>\n

Smokey\u2019s second calypso crown, in 1986, with the entries,\u00a0Make Me Wonder<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0Save The Youth<\/em>\u00a0again 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\u2019s and into the 1990\u2019s.<\/p>\n

While Smokey\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Elimus \u2018Inspector\u2019 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.\u00a0Dance\u00a0<\/em>became an immediate hit and was a unanimous winner of the coveted road march title.<\/p>\n

In 1986 Inspector was even more dominant with\u00a0No Kicks For \u201986<\/em>, a song that was banned from radio air-play and relying on DJs rewinding cassettes each time the song ended,\u00a0No Kicks<\/em>\u00a0still 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.<\/p>\n

Following the exploits of Smokey and the Inspector in 1985 and 1986 another streak of wins began in 1987 with Edson \u2018Ajamu\u2019 Mitchell winning his first calypso crown. His renditions in that year included\u00a0We Shouldn\u2019t Worry,<\/em>\u00a0and his second winning composition introduced Grenada to the\u00a0\u201cCalypso Warrior\u201d<\/em>. Ajamu repeated in 1987 with anthemic\u00a0My Grenada\u00a0<\/em>and\u00a0Heat.<\/em><\/p>\n

For the next decade or so Grenada and Grenadians enjoyed the greatest calypso rivalry since Independence and the phrase,\u00a0Good Night Queens Park<\/strong>\u00a0would become cemented in Grenadian vernacular forever.<\/p>\n

Part 3 delves deeper into those historic rivalries.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pictured below \u2013 the old Queens Park<\/p>\n

(picture sourced from RealFM\u2019s Facebook page)<\/sub><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The collapse of the Grenada Revolution in October of 1983 meant that the Flying Turkey who was serving in the People\u2019s Revolutionary Army was once again private citizen Cecil Belfon and available to partake in 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