One of the pillars of great biting calypso in Barbados passed away this week. Don Marshall, better known as Sir Don, was one of the most highly acclaimed writers and calypso composers ever produced this side of the hemisphere. His style of writing had long become the benchmark of what we came to know as true, biting, and relevant, calypso.

His first foray into the national light came in 1963, with his songs Tax Dodgers and 20th Century Husbands, which won him the crown that year. For the next five decades Marshall earned 3 more crowns, and continued to make inroads into the musical landscape here in Barbados, and to no surprise regionally as well.

It was after his first win on the big stage, that a lot of his songs became household hits. Pieces such as Brother Massiah and Tom Say became so well known, that it propelled him into the regional spotlight, to lead the 1977 Barbados Music Festival to 13 major cities in Europe and was a founding member of the popular Battleground Calypso Tent.

It should also be noted, that the calypsonian was always one to stay far away from vulgar and offensive songs and lyrics. Don stated on numerous occasions how he has never written a song he could not sing in church.

Upon hearing of his passing on Thursday morning, many calypso lovers and artistes were caught off guard as they remembered the legend for his stellar contribution toward the arts.

Artists such as Romeo, Dr. Anthony ‘Mighty Gabby’ Carter, Colin Spencer and the reigning Pic-O-De-Crop monarch Anderson ‘Mr. Blood’ Armstrong were among those mentored and heavily influenced by the late stalwart. He also penned calypsos for several veteran and junior calypsonians over the years and acted as a judge of the Pic-O-De-Crop competition, Richard Stoute Teen Talent Contest, and other local competitions.

Up until his death, the former Combermere student was still in demand, imparting his knowledge and experience to the younger generation.

The Mighty Gabby, another local stalwart of the genre, had a lot to share about the passing of the giant this week, “Don always talked about quality, how to dress well, speak well, look well, have manners, don’t walk about and get drunk. He said ‘They don’t have no choice but to respect you, when you respect yourself’ and that is lesson he gave me – it was a lifelong lesson.”

The National Cultural Foundation (NCF) issued a statement of condolences to Marshall’s wife and children.

“His charm and wit were legendary and he would deliver the most hilarious of quips with nothing more than a quiet chuckle while the others were bent over with laughter. Don Marshall was a man of deep and abiding faith who loved life and his country, his family, calypso and the Combermere School in particular,” the NCF statement said.

 

See Also Barbados Today: Sir Don Marshall Passed Away

 

#Sir Don #Don Marshall #Combermereschool