Sparrow By Avia Ustanny,
Freelance Writer
CALYPSO KING, the Mighty Sparrow might be salacious on stage, but at home he is a family man first and foremost. He knows how to "feed the devil with long spoon" if dem girls get out of hand.
Female fans may share the stage, but beyond that, they can't "pass dem place."
Slinger Francisco, better known as the Mighty Sparrow, is proud of everything that says 'family'.
Listen to him speak about granddaughter Ashley who is "definitely in showbiz mode". The young woman is studying dance and theatre - "the whole works". Maybe the legacy of the music man has skipped one generation? He is quite proud of her.
Daughter Karen is also studying theatre. Michelle, the other daughter is doing law and both young women, studying at Brooklyn College in New York, have made the Dean's list and a name for themselves academically.
His sons are Sancho, a qualified engineer who is in charge of Sparrow Enterprises - including real estate and entertainment - in Port of Spain, Trinidad. Lionel, the older, who is also in engineering, is at present working in New York.
Faithful Margaret, Sparrow's other half is the backbone of the business in Port of Spain. "She co-ordinates our times and compacts everything as best as she can," Sparrow told Showtime.
Between them, "the love is going strong," Sparrow said. "Remember the song The Lion Excuses? I wrote that one for her. I am behaving... I do the best I can", he continued.
Fans would like to believe that Slinger Francisco leaves his good behaviour at home, for it adds to the intoxicating effect of such party songs as Drunk And Disorderly, Saltfish and Conga Man.
Delightful double entendres and his playful strutting across the stage for many years has earned Sparrow a musical reputation of a living legend. His political messages, in song, were said to be partly responsible for the 30-year reign of the Errol Barrow government.
Globe's best
calypsonian
Often voted the globe's best calypsonian, he confessed to Showtime that he was not interested in retirement and that he had no other hobby apart from his music.
Here in Jamaica for his performance in Jamaica Carnival's Champions Of The Caribbean show last night, he claimed there was no end in sight for his time on the road.
The Mighty Sparrow will be 66 years old on July 9 this year and is still strutting.
"Perish the thought," he responded to questions about his plans for retirement.
"If you really look at it, when we retire we still have to do something, whether go fishing or go driving from park to park. But, I still enjoy singing a lot. I will continue to do it until I can't do any more", he continued.
The calypsonian leads a busy life at home in the suburbs of Port of Spain - when he is there. For one-third of the year, calypso lovers can see his face in such places as Japan , Canada, North and Central America and sometimes South America.
Sparrow Enterprises is also online at www.mightsparrow.com for international fans who want to keep in touch between shows.
"What I am trying to do is to continue to internationalise calypso because so many people need to hear it. People can get information both about Sparrow and the music as a whole which we would like to see accepted and known by as many people as possible," Sparrow said.
He is also completing a 40-CD Anthology Of Sparrow with original voice and arrangements.
Sparrow is not alone in spreading his calypsonian message around. The Caribbean Communications Network will complete a documentary on the life and times of Mighty Sparrow in May. And Outside Queens Park Oval, the cultural powers are putting up a statute of the living legend.
In February, the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) leaders honoured the calypsonian for his outstanding contribution to the development in the region with its highest regional award, the Order of the Caribbean Community (OCC). The University of the West Indies has also conferred on him an honorary doctorate.
Sparrow, who has dominated the Caribbean calypso scene since the 1950s, feels the CARICOM award is a kind of Caribbean Knighthood. How do you properly refer to him? The Hon. Dr. Slinger Fransisco, if you please.
Younger slingers
To get him to a passionate pitch, talk to him not only about his children, but also about the younger 'slingers', among whom is his favourite, David Rudder.
"I was the first one to call him King . The man is impressive. He ain't easy to follow... his lyrics, his melody , his message... they are tough!" Sparrow said.
When it comes to vacation, the calypsonian and his family "try to create holidays as I go along. Sometimes we go to certain places a few days early."
And he is not averse to living outside of Port of Spain. In fact, should he decide to buy a house outside of Trinidad, it would be here in Jamaica.
"Ironshore in Jamaica would be the place. I love Jamaica. When I started coming here I remember going to Oracabessa, May Pen, Mandeville, Black River, Savanna-la-Mar - all them country places. The best ackee and saltfish is in Port Antonio, he said.
